The Earliest Human Societies

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.