MR. PAGLIAROSEYMOUR HIGH SCHOOL
The Earliest Human Societies
Unit Objective
Explain the origins, development, and achievements of early human beings.
PART 1
Archaeology & Anthropology
Part 1 Goals
Develop timeline skillsDefine artifact, remain, archaeology, &
anthropology Identify prehistory and its ages.
Time (and reading a timeline)
OLDER
BC
BCE
NEWER
AD
CE
year
0
Simple Version
Traditional Western Version
Contemporary Version
B.C. A.D.Literally, in English,
“Before Christ”Marks year 1 as the birth
of the historical figure, Jesus, that Christianity is based around. All things BC come before
this event. The larger the number, the
older it is (like NEGATIVE numbers).
Literally, in Latin, “anno domini” Translates to ‘The Year of Our
Lord”Marks year 1 as the birth
of the historical figure, Jesus, that Christianity is based around. All things AD start with this
event, or come later. The larger the number, the
newer it is.
Traditional Dates – Used w/ Julian & Gregorian Calendars; began usage in 525. There is NO year 0.
B.C.E. C.E.Before the Common Era
Alternatively, Before the Christian Era
Still uses the birth of the figure Jesus to mark year 1. All things BCE come before
this event. Same as B.C.
The larger the number, the older it is (like NEGATIVE numbers)
Common Era Alternatively, Christian
EraStill uses the birth of
the figure Jesus to mark year 1. All things CE start with
this event, or come later. Same as A.D.
The larger the number, the newer it is.
Contemporary Dates – Used to be sensitive of non-Christian peoples. Also has no year 0. Introduced in 1800s by Jewish scholars in Europe.
Studying Prehistory – Turn & Talk
What is prehistory?What clues exist to
help understand prehistory?
Who studies prehistory?
The period before written records.
artifacts & remains
archaeologists, anthropologists, & paleontologists
Artifacts & Remains???
Artifact: Anything made by
humans
Remains: Preserved (fossilized
or decomposed) dead, human body parts
Archaeologists vs. Anthropologists
Scientists Study human society
and culture Use artifacts and
human remains.
Scientists Study a group of
people’s unique way of life
Use artifacts and remains.
Archaeologists Anthropologists
In the United States, archaeology is a subcategory of anthropology.
Paleontologists study all fossils, and use complex
techniques to determine how old they are.
Paleontologist?
Hypothesize:
What challenges may archaeological teams face in the field?
Three Ages of Prehistory
Ages based on technology1. Stone Age
Paleolithic Era – Old Stone Age Neolithic Era – New Stone Age
2. Bronze Age3. Iron Age
PART 2
Hunters & Gatherers
Main Ideas Why it matters now
Geography-Early humans adapted their natural environment.
Culture-Humans created tools, language, religion, and art to improve life.
Early humans created the first tools. Today, technology continues to improve our lives and helps us survive. The roots of modern culture began in the Paleolithic era.
Part 2 – Hunters & Gatherers
Terms Names
nomad (nomadic)hunter-gatherertechnology
Key Vocabulary
Part 2 Goals
Identify human achievements of the Paleolithic Era
Understand early human culture
Key Questions
How did early humans interact with the environment?
What were some tools developed by early humans?
What type of culture did early humans create?
Early Humans’ Way of Life
Early humans = hunter-gatherers Nomadic; migration Equal gender roles
Lived in small bands; approx. 30 people
Human Migration
By 15,000 BC – humans migrated to all parts of the word
The Development of Tools
Hominids controlled fire 500,000 years ago Turn & Talk: What are the benefits of fire?
Technology-knowledge, tools, inventions to meet needs Early stone axes Complex tools Build shelter
ALL IMPROVE LIFE
Early Human Culture
Language Aided cooperation
Religion Explain the
unexplainable Natural spirits
Art Make people happy Illustrate life/religion
Part 2 – Summary
Hunters-gatherers were nomadsFire and tools improved lives.Early humans created language, religion, and
art.
PART 3
Agriculture Emerges
Terms Names
slash-and-burn farming
domestication
Neolithic Revolution (Agricultural Revolution)
Key Vocabulary
Main Ideas Why it matters now
Economics-The development of agriculture caused an increase in population and the growth of a settled way of life.
New methods for obtaining food and the development of technology laid the foundations for modern civilizations.
Part 3 – Agriculture Emerges
Part 3 Goals
Describe the Neolithic RevolutionExplore the impact of agriculture on human
lifeExplain the growth of villages
Key Questions
How did new technologies support the emergence of agriculture?
What impact did agriculture have on the lives of people?
How did farming develop independently in various parts of the world?
The Beginning of Agriculture
Learn to Discover: What new farming methods & tools did early farmers invent?
Climate Changes Longer growing season Domesticated wild
grassesDomestication of
Animals – c. 9000 BCPlanting – c. 8000 BC
Slash-and-Burn Farming Use of digging sticks,
hoes, sicklesVillages developed
Why Hunt?
Why Gather?
Join the Neolithic Revolutio
n!!!
Quick Review
What effect did new technologies have on early humans?
How did farming change the way people lived?
Farming Developed in Many Places
River Valleys Africa (Nile) Asia (Tigris & Euphrates, Huang He, Indus)
IrrigationAmericas
Higher elevations first 3-Sister’s farming
Agriculture Emerges: 5000-500 BC
Part 3 Summary
Post-Ice Age, the Neolithic Revolution brought planting crops & domestication of animals
Populations grew in permanent farming villages
Farming developed independently in many areas of the world.
PART 4
Cities & Civilization Develop
Terms Names
civilizationspecializationartisaninstitutions
JarmoÇatal HüyükUr
Key Vocabulary
Main Ideas Why it matters now
Economics-The development of agriculture caused an increase in population and the growth of a settled way of life.
Culture-patterns of government, specialized workers, and social classes developed in complex cultures.
New methods for obtaining food and the development of technology laid the foundations for modern civilizations.
Part 3 – Agriculture Emerges
Part 3 Goals
Explain how villages grew into citiesList and clarify the characteristics of
civilizations (book) and the elements of civilization (teacher).
Describe how the city of Ur exemplifies these traits.
Key Questions
How can an increased population complicate social relationships?
What roles do complex institutions play in the lives of people?
How might complex institutions help organize society?
Villages Around the World
Surpluses Boosted Development Food & material surpluses
Helped in bad seasons Populations grew Specialization developed
Villages Grew More Complex
Surpluses led to: Trade Artisans Social classes Government
Earliest complex villages: Jarmo Çatal Hüyük Jericho
Characteristics of Civilization
Cities
Government
Written Records
ReligiousActivity
SocialClasses
Mr. Pagliaro’s 6 Elements
ArtisticActivity
Lesson Summary
Improved farming techniques enabled village farmers to grow surplus food
Simple villages sometimes grew into complex villages
Complex villages grew into cities, and developed civilization.