August 10th Warm-UpHow do we obtain information

about prehistoric times?

How do we obtain information about prehistoric times?

PrehistoryPrehistory is period of time before humans developed writing.

So if there is no writing about a time period, how do we know what happened?

Prehistory &Early Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkdcHArwczY

How do we obtain information about prehistoric times?

2 groups interpret Prehistory:–AnthropologistsAnthropologists—study behavior &

physical features of people–ArchaeologistsArchaeologists—study physical

remains of people: fossilsfossils (pieces of people/plants preserved in earth) & artifactsartifacts (man-made objects)

Both groups try to understand the way of life (cultureculture) of people in the past

Prehistory Quiz1. Prehistory refers to the time before:

2. If an archaeologist finds a 2000 year old hairbrush, is this an artifact or a fossil?

3. Which type of scientist studies past human behavior?

WritingWriting

Artifact, because it is man-madeArtifact, because it is man-made

AnthropologistAnthropologist

Early Man

Lucy

3.6 million years old hominid fossil found in Eastern Africa in 19741st Homo genus bipedal fossil foundOnly 3’6” tallStill part tree dwelling

Homo erectus or stand upright easily

1.6 million years old Age 10-11, 5’3” was

going to be around 6’

Found in Africa

The Stone Age

Stone Age refers to time when early hominids (creatures that walk upright) began to develop tools

Stone Age is broken into 3 periods: PaleolithicPaleolithic (Old), MesolithicMesolithic (Middle) NeolithicNeolithic (New)

Early Human Accomplishments Happened near end of Paleolithic and

start of Neolithic

1. Manufactured range of stone and bone tools

2. Controlled fire: 3 reasons

3. Developed spoken language

4. Formulated artistic tradition

5. Created ritual practices

6. Organized social groups

Neolithic RevolutionPeople shifted from hunting &

gathering to farming as a result of new agricultural methods:–Domesticated (tamed) animalsDomesticated (tamed) animals—

dogs, horses, cows, sheep, pigs–Technological advancesTechnological advances—plow,

loom, metal tools & weapons, planting seeds

–VillagesVillages—farming allowed people to stay in one place rather than move to find new food supplies

What is a civilization?

Evidence of Ancient Civilizations

What is a civilization?Civilization is a sophisticated

culture possessing 5 key traits:

–Advanced Cities

–Specialized Workers

–Record Keeping

–Advanced Technology

–Complex Institutions

Key Traits of CivilizationsAdvanced Cities :

–Centers of trade

–Provide protection from outside forces

Key Traits of CivilizationsSpecialized Workers :

–Civilizations must have workers to carry out specialized duties. Each worker has a skill that allow them to contribute to society

Key Traits of Civilizations

Record Keeping :

–Allows civilizations to communicate rules, keep track of trade and population, and record histories

Key Traits of Civilizations

–Advanced Technology:

–Inventions help advance societies by making work easier

Key Traits of CivilizationsComplex Institutions :

–Government allows for order and stability in civilizations

–Advanced civilizations built temples in cities to worship deities

How & Why Did Civilizations Begin?

Why Did Civilizations Begin?People naturally have 3 needs

that they want to be met:

–FoodFood—leads to trade

–SecuritySecurity—leads to government

–CreativityCreativity—leads to cultureAll 3 together lead to people

forming civilizations

Let’s Examine Some Important Information

about the 4 Major River Valley Civilizations