Technological and Environmental Transformations to 600 BCE
Dec 27, 2015
Technological and Environmental Transformations
to 600 BCE
Big Geography and the Peopling of the Earth
Early human development during the Paleolithic Period
Origins in AfricaHominids Anatomically modern humans develop about 150,000 years agoBegin migrations
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/IIE2cHumanevop2.sht ml
Lucyhttp://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n2/they-love-lucy
Settlement of Australia: Approximately 60,000 BCESettlement of Eurasia: Approximately 50,000 BCESettlement of Americas: Approximately 14,000 BCE
Hunting-foragingNomadicSmall groups based on bonds of kinshipRelatively EgalitarianAdaptation to local environmentDevelopment of stone tools Use of fire for cooking, warmth, and
deterring predators
No written languageEvidence of culture seen in cave paintings,
artifacts, and human remainsEvidence of primitive, simple religionLack of developed material culture
hunter-foragers did interact with each other and engage in exchange of ideas and goods
The Neolithic Revolution and Early Agricultural Societies
Neolithic: New Stone AgeBegan approx. 10,000 years agoUse of stone tools for agricultural production
Most likely the result of climate changeDomestication of plant and animal species
See map on page 9 in textbookFirst began in the Eastern Mediterranean
http://huberb.people.cofc.edu/ANTH%20101%20Huber's%20Introduction%20to%20Anthropology.html
Gradual process and dependent upon the geography
Not all societies develop agricultureSee map on page 9 of textbook.
Agricultural centers emerged in:Mesopotamia, the Nile River Valley, Sub-
Saharan Africa, the Indus River Valley, the Yellow River, Papua New Guinea, Mesoamerica, and the Andes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCMhRwMrLoY
Emerged in grasslands (steppes)Central Eurasia and parts of Africa
Animal husbandryMobile lifestyleWealth measured in livestock
Greater degree of complexity and cooperationMore reliable food sourcesPopulation densities increasePermanent settlementsReligion becomes more complexSome matrilineal, others patrilinealTrade developed between and among early
agricultural settlements
http://www.americanneopaganism.com/ancientpagantimeline.htm
http://howardbloom.net/reinventing_capitalism/
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Catal_Huyuk http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/
Image:CatalHoyukSouthArea.JPG
Dramatic impact on the environmentErosionClearing of forests for farmlandDesertificationOvergrazing of pastureland
Increase in human populationIncrease in diseaseCraft specializationSocial StratificationPatriarchy
Technological innovations were developed to improve agricultural production, trade, and transportation
Key examples:PotteryPlowsWoven textilesMetallurgyWheels and wheeled
vehicleshttp://www.historiasiglo20.org/prehistory/pottery.htm
The Development and Interactions of Early Agricultural, Pastoral, and Urban Societies
Core and foundational civilizations emerged in the following:Mesopotamia EgyptMohenjo-Daro and HarappaShang ChinaOlmecChavin
http://www.unionparishschools.org/rivervalleyciv/interest.htm
Mesopotamia
http://www.utexas.edu/courses/classicalarch/images2/mapane.jpg
Egypt
http://www.iziko.org.za/sh/resources/egypt/images/map_e1_l.gif
Indus River Valley Civilization
http://www.rivervalleycivilizations.com/indus.php
The Yellow River Valley CivilizationShang Dynasty
http://www.chinahighlights.com/image/map/ancient/shang-dynasty-map1.gif
http://theresaclarkintdis4.blogspot.com/2009/09/week-6.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chavin-small.png
State: a sovereign political entity which contains a stable population, defined territory, and established government
Control over larger territory, population, and resources
Divine RightMilitary
Competition for land and resourcesGeographyBronzeIronHorsesChariotsComposite bows
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Hyksos.aspx
Architecture and Urban Planning
Arts and Artisanship
Systems of Record Keeping
Law Codes
Writing systems are believed to have emerged out of a need for record keeping. As societies became more complex and civilizations grew, there came about a need to keep formal records.. Either way, most, BUT NOT ALL, early civilizations developed some sort of writing system. The Sumerians in Mesopotamia developed the world’s first writing system when they created a system known as cuneiform.
Law codes became essential with the growth of civilization. Laws were used to keep society orderly and provide a system of justice. The best known law code of the time is that of Hammurabi. Hammurabi was the king of Babylon. His law code is an important historic source because it helped to pioneer the idea of justice and rule by law. However, his law code was based upon a system of inequality in which punishments were based upon social status.
ReligionPolytheism: Belief in many gods
Most commonVedic Religion becomes basis of Hinduism
Monotheism: Belief in one godHebrewsZoroastrianism (Persian Empire)
TradeLocal, regional, and transregional tradeExchange of goods, cultural ideas, and
technology
Examples:Egypt and NubiaMesopotamia and Indus River Valley