Scientists believe human life began in Africa 4-5 million years ago. These early people hunted and gathered for food and are known today as hunter-gatherers.

Mesopotamia

The Land BetweenThe

rivers

What we’ve learned so far….Scientists believe human life began in Africa 4-5 million years ago.

These early people hunted and gathered for food and are known today as hunter-gatherers.

People migrated throughout the world as their food moved.

During the last Ice Age, people crossed into America over a land bridge while following their food.

Eventually, people learned about agriculture or how to farm.

With farming now their method of obtaining food, people no longer moved around from place to place and they began to settle.

With more time available, people began to develop quicker.

NOW THAT WE ARE FARMERS….

How do we become good at farming?

What do we need to be a farmer?

SeedsSun

WaterGood soil

Where can we get it all?

THE RIVER VALLEYThe perfect farming

Location!

HERE’S WHY….

Rivers FloodBringing

Fresh soil to theValley from the

mountains

Good soil is dark black with a fine, consistent texture. It is filled with nutrients and minerals that help plants grow! This is known as FERTILE.

Bad soil cracks easily and has a dull appearance. It can be rocky or sandy. The nutrients and minerals are gone making it hard to plant crops. INFERTILE

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS IN THEFERTILE CRESCENT

MesopotamiaAn area of land that stretches between Asia Minor and the Persian

Gulf in the Middle East. Specifically between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in modern day Iraq.

First Settelers arrived here 9,000 Years Ago

With plentiful food available, the population of Mesopotamia grew quicker than in other

areas of the world. Since these people didn’t have to move around in search of food, they established small villages all along the river

valley. It is from these small villages that the world’s first civilization started.

Why is Mesopotamia important?Because it was the world’s first

civilization!