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The Development of Paleolithic Neolithic Cultures From the Dawn of Time to c. 3500 BCE

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The Development of Paleolithic & Neolithic Cultures From the Dawn of Time to c BCE Overview Geological Developments Evolutionary Developments Cultural Developments Summary Formation of the Mediterranean Sea The Mediterranean Sea Hominids Homo erectus 2,000,000 years ago What differentiates humans from other primates? A.Use/manufacture of tools B.Use of symbols to communicate C.Size of brain, especially the prefrontal cortex D.Existence of a soul E.Something else, such as monogamy, Migration of Homo Sapiens Sapiens Lascaux Wall paintings Venus Figure of Willendorf from Paleolithic remains c. 30,000 BCE in Austria What are the features of Paleolithic Culture? A.Hunter Gatherers B. Stone Tools C.No permanent settlements D.Less hierarchical E. Less patriarchal The Taking of Jericho by Jean Fouquet c. 1470 The Fertile Crescent Catalhuyuk or Catalhoyuk Catalhyk Mother Goddess sculpture from Catal Huyuk Clothed Hunter c BCE Burial Mounds Around Stonehenge Construction of Stonehenge Preseli Mountain in Wales What were the features of neolithic culture? A.Agriculture B.Animal husbandry C.Permanent settlements D.Denser populations E.Increasing hierarchy/patriarchy Geological Developments Formation of the world: 5 Billion Years Ago Continental drift Long term trend of rising sea levels with periodic reversals known as Ice Ages - the last ice Age was approximately 20,000 years ago Formation of the Mediterranean Sea occurred roughly 5 million years ago Evolutionary Development Pre-human Human Neolithic Humans Hunter gatherers for the most part; frequently on the move, but as we approach 3500 BCE, the widespread adoption of agriculture makes permanent settlements more common More varied diet than modern humans; animal dung, bark, and roots were regularly eaten As permanent settlements become more common, commerce develops and the dissemination of knowledge and customs picks up speed Neolithic Revolution Agriculture allowed humans to develop permanent settlements instead of traveling to remain close to migrating herds of wildlife The effects of permanent settlements were profound Houses Pottery for storage of food surplus and seed grain Increased population Longer life expectancy (25-30 years arthritis at 26!) Increased specialization Better tools (axes, shovels, hammers, etc) More elaborate culture Pre-Human Evolutionary Developments Life begins c. 2 Billion years ago bacteria and algae form 6 Million Years ago hominid creatures are wandering the earth human-like apes with small brains not erect when walking Many species of hominids which have since died out Human Evolution million years ago: first human in E. Africa standing erect larger brains but still not within modern ranges 400 K - Homo sapiens - increased brains East Africa 130 K to present - Homo sapiens sapiens tools (rocks, bones) fire 40K BCE - homo sapiens sapiens moves into Europe Cultural Development Paleolithic - Old Stone Age - to 10,000 BCE hunting & food gathering Neolithic - New Stone Age - to 3,500 BCE agricultural subsistence and eventually surplus irrigation private property increased social & economic differentiation cities emerge political differentiation underscores economic status Civilization Begins c BCE Permanent settlements typically began in river valleys Tigris-Euphrates (3500 BCE) Nile (3000BCE) Indus (2500 BCE) Metallurgy developed around the same time Indicators of civilized society include Writing dense populations and large buildings for gathering purposes formal political systems economic activity beyond food subsistence - crafts Early Civilization Religion imbued many facets of everyday life but none more than politics Early rulers legitimized their power by claiming either that they were gods or that they were appointed by a god Early cities channeled a significant portion of their manpower toward the construction of temples dedicated to the gods These impressive temples underscored the power and prestige of the early rulers Summary By modern standards prehistoric people were very slow to innovate; consequently new developments such as tools and agriculture diffused very slowly from one place to another The pace of innovation gradually begins to pick up, beginning with the agricultural revolution c. 10,000-c BCE One of the biggest innovations during this period was the use of pictures and symbols to express meaning