Paleolithic Era to Mesopotamian City-States...Civilization in Mesopotamia City-States of Ancient Mesopotamia Sumerian city-states Walls & mud-brick buildings Temple atop a ziggurat

Paleolithic Era to Mesopotamian City-States

Before History Prehistory = the period before written records.

Archaeological information

Archaeology = the study of structures of past societies by analyzing the artifacts.

Artifacts = tools, household items, weapons, buildings, artworks, religious figures left behind by a people.

Anthropology = focuses on culture by studying artifacts and human remains (human fossils).

Examining bones and hides tells us about the diet of people

Archaeologists and Anthropologists use scientific methods to create their theories.

Most important use = dating artifacts and fossils.

Radiocarbon Dating

Thermoluminescence

Biological methods (DNA and blood molecule analysis)

Early Stages of Development The First Humans (hominids)

Australopithecines (Southern Apes)

Earliest humanlike beings

Lived in Africa and used simple stone tools

Discovered and named by Donald Johnson

Homo habilis

The “handy human”

Skilled workers

Found by Louis and Mary Leakey

Homo erectus

Dates from about 1.5 million years ago.

Used larger and more varied tools

The first to move into parts of Europe and Asia

First beings to deliberately make fire.

Homo sapiens

Known as “wise” human beings

2 sub groups:

Neanderthal

Homo sapiens sapiens

The Spread of Homo sapiens

Hunter-Gatherers (Old Stone Age) Distinguishing feature of humans = ability to make/use tools.

Paleolithic Age = “Old Stone” Age designates the earliest period of human history.

Paleolithic Peoples:

Nomadic (may have lived in bands of 20-30 people)

Life was literally devoted to and organized around finding food.

Follow animal migration and vegetation cycles

Gathered nuts, berries, fruits, and wild grains

Division of labor – Rough Equality

Tools and Fire – Change environment

Developed = spears, bows and arrows, harpoons, and fishhooks

Cave paintings can be found dating to this period.

The Development of Agriculture

The Neolithic Revolution c. 10,000-4000 B.C.E. A Revolution in Agriculture

Shift from hunting & gathering Planting & domestication of

animals Consequences of the Neolithic

Revolution Neolithic farms and villages

Oldest in the Middle East Jericho Çatal Hüyük

Walled city Religious shrines

Consequences Settled in villages and towns Trade Specialization of crafts

Pottery and baskets Flint blades

Change in relationship of men and women Men work in the fields/herd

animals Women care for

children/weaving cloth Fixed dwellings domestication of animals Writing and metalworking emerge

Çatal Hüyük

Why civilizations developed?

Challenge and Response

Material forces created specialization of labor

Management of water resources

Religion provided unity and purpose

Emergence of Civilization Characteristics of Civilization

Urban focus

Distinct religious structure

New political and military structures

New social structure based on economic power

The development of writing

New and significant artistic and intellectual activity

Civilizations

Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Nile Delta (lower Egypt)

Indus River Valley (India)

Yellow River Valley (China)

Central Asia

Supe River Valley (Peru)

The Ancient Near East

Civilization in Mesopotamia City-States of Ancient

Mesopotamia

Sumerian city-states

Walls & mud-brick buildings

Temple atop a ziggurat

Gods ruled the cities -Theocracy

Kingship divine in origin

Theocratic government system

Economy was agricultural

Social groups:

Nobles, Commoners, Slaves

The Ancient Near East

Empires in Ancient Mesopotamia Akkadian Empire

Semitic people

Led by Sargon

Overran Sumerian cities

established empire over most of Mesopotamia

Empire falls – return to warring city-states

Amorites (Old Babylonians)

Hammurabi creates a new empire

Code of Hammurabi Strict justice

Penalties according to class

Performance of work

Marriage and the family

Fathers ruled wives and children

Mesopotamian Culture The Culture of Mesopotamia

Importance of Religion

Epic of Gilgamesh Search for immortality

Polytheistic

Numerous gods and goddesses

Divination

Predict events

Cultivation of New Arts and Sciences Cuneiform Writing “wedge shaped”

Primarily for record keeping

Professional scribes

Communicate important ideas

Math of Sumerians based on 60

Geometry = measure fields and erect buildings

Chart the heavens

Calendar of 12 lunar months (extra month time to time)