The Beginning of ManPaleolithic Era

The Dawn of Man• http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd3-1tcOthg

• Archaeologist have discovered that the earliest evidence of humankind originated in Africa.

• This early humankind migrated from Africa to Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas, usually in small hunting and gathering bands.

• Hunter-Gatherers• These hunter-gatherer groups were

usually small family bands.

The Paleolithic Stone Age

• What do you think “Stone Age” means?

• During this era, humans learned to use tools made from stone and wood.

• Some tools included the spear, the bow and arrow, the club, and the stone axe.

• How do we know this??

Religion and Interactions

• Religious practices were started in this era. • Usually, these humans were animistic• These humans also, through burial practices,

showed a belief in an afterlife. • Trade of goods and technology occurred

between bands of hunter-gatherers. • As groups encountered each other, they would

exchange weapon and tool making technology as well as religious beliefs.

Neolithic Revolution • At the end of the last Ice Ace (c. 8000 BCE), humans

began to plant crops in abundant, rich areas. • They began to settle in these areas and quit their

nomadic ways in favor of agriculture. • Most of these areas were located in river valleys.

River Valley Civilizations• The Neolithic revolution did not occur simultaneously

and concurrently around the world.

Neolithic Revolution • To aid in farming, animals

were domesticated. Animals also helped humans to hunt.

• Dogs, cats, sheep, goats, cattle, horses, chickens, and pigs were most important to Afro-Eurasia.

• However, because of closer contact with animals, diseases were more easily contracted and spread.

• Crash course

River Valley Civilizations• Mesopotamia (Tigris and Euphrates River

Valley)• Indus River Valley• Huang He River • Nile River

What are the parts of a Civilization?1. Advanced Cities- Large population, center of trade2. Specialized Workers- food surpluses provided

development of skills in a specific type of work3. Complex institutions- need for order and control over

resources: Religion, Government4. Record Keeping- as society became more structured,

the need to keep records emerged (for rituals, laws, business) Scribes were professional record keepers

5. Advanced Technology- New tools and techniques to solve problems. EX: Wheel, Plow, Irrigation, Sailboat, Bronze Weapon.