The First Communities Lesson 1
Dec 29, 2015
The First CommunitiesLesson 1
Earth and the First People
Human like creatures appeared perhaps 1 to 2 million years ago
These early humans used simple tools they made from stone
This was the beginning of the OLD STONE AGE—the beginning of human history.
Earth and the First People
The OLD STONE AGE lasted until about 10,000 years ago (c. 8000 B.C.E)
The first modern humans lived in world that was quite coldGlaciers covered most of the land (ICE AGE)
From time to time Earth would get warmer
Earth and the First People
The first human like beings emerged in Africa
From there they would fan out to other continentsThey would adapt to the
environments they found
Check for Understanding
What happened during the Old Stone Age?A. Earth was hot, glowing ballB. Humans used simple toolsC. Humanlike creatures first appearedD. Life began in the water
Check for Understanding
What happened during the Ice Age?A. Glaciers covered most of the landB. The oceans rose and fellC. Life on land was fairly easyD. Modern humans appeared
Living as Hunters and Gatherers
Nomads were always looking for new caves to stay in
Men would hunt and use the only weapons available, KNIVES and SPEARS\Some may have sharp tips, or be
carved out of animal bone
Living as Hunters and Gatherers
Women and children gathered foodBerries, nuts, and fruit
They would use sticks to dig up roots
Homes were very simpleCaves, tents made of animal hides (skins),
huts made of branches
Living as Hunters and Gatherers
Some caves have paintings of animals that were hunted
The paintings were made from berries and clay
Check for Understanding
Match each description with a term.
A. knives and spears B. paintings of animals C. berries, nuts, fruits, and roots
1. These were tools the hunters used
2. These were foods that were gathered
3. These made the cave walls special
The New Stone Age
About 10,000 years ago the Ice Age came to an endGlaciers melted and earth grew warmer
Historians refer to this time as the New Stone Age
The new warmer climate was better for plantsPeople began to cultivate cropsCrops included wheat, barley, rice, and
beans
The New Stone Age
People began to domesticate wild animalsSheep, cows, and goats were
domesticated
These animals were used as sources of milk, meat, and hides
People of the New Stone Age had stopped being hunters and gatherers and had become farmers
Check for Understanding
When did the New Stone Age begin?
A. about 10,000 years agoB. about 100,000 years agoC. about 20,000 years agoD. about 200,000 years ago
Check for Understanding
What new things happened during the New Stone Age?
A. The Ice Age beganB. People began to plant and grow cropsC. People became hunters and gathersD. People raised their own animals for food and hides
Village Life
Because of planting and growing crops families stayed in one place
As more families settled down they began to live together in agriculture villages
No more living in caves, more permanent homes were built
Village Life
They built pens for animals
Since there was enough food, people could learn new skillsPotters or weavers, toolmakers,
boatbuilding
People could trade between villages
Communities began to grow
Check for Understanding
TRUE or FALSE
1. People in villages had to be nomads.
2. People in villages kept domesticated animals.
3. People in villages had to spend all days looking for food.
4. People in villages had time to learn new skills.
5. People in villages traded goods with people in other villages.
The Earliest Cities
Villages continued to grow – they became townsLarges ones were called cities
Two of the earliestJerichoCatal Huyuk
The Earliest
JerichoBuilt around 7500 B.C.E, in the
Jordan ValleyCovered 4 acres of land and was
surrounded by a wall that was over 12 feet high
Catal Huyuk
1950’s scientists discovered the ruins of another city in Turkey
Contained what is now the world’s oldest pottery and wool clothing
City was built later than JerichoIn a region that used to be called
Asia Minor
Catal Huyuk
City 8 times bigger than Jericho
Contained many large brick and stone buildings packed tightly together with no streets or alleys between them
This would set the stage for the next major development in human history – the birth of civilizations
Check for Understanding
True or False
1. In the 1950s, the ruins of Jericho were found in Turkey
2. In Catal Huyuk, there were no streets or alleys between buildings
Cultures and Civilizations
Villages needed a way to be organized so life could run smoothly
Villages grew into a civilization
Civilizations usually have:Government System of record keepingClass system
Check for Understanding
Which term describes a shared set of language, ideas, and habits?
A. Civilization
B. Culture
C. Government
D. Class
Check for Understanding
Which of the following is part of a civilization?
A. A government
B. A system of record keeping
C. A class system
D. All of the above