History Chapter 3 - Early Humans

The Ice Ages

*Ice Ages* - long periods of extreme cold that affected all of the Earth The last Ice Age started around 100,000 years ago and ended around 10,000 years ago. *Glaciers* - thick sheets of ice that moved across large areas of the Earth As a result of the Ice Ages large areas of land that were previously and now under water were exposed. These areas are called land bridges.

Early Humans

- -Climate changes affected the environment after the last Ice Age. - -Nomads moved further north and south from the Equator to areas with mild climate and fertile land. -People remained in one place and began to farm. -Farming replaced hunting and gathering as the main food source. -People domesticated animals to transport goods and to provide food.

Survival Changes

-Adapting to the environment was essential to -moving to new areas in search of food -Early people used animal skins as clothing to stay warm and build shelters with -They even made shelters out of mammoth bones

Art

-Cave drawings made up most of what we have found from the Paleolithic Age -We are not sure why they created such art -May have brought them luck -May have been used to record history -May have just enjoyed painting

Early Families

-Scientists think both men and women made decisions equally. -Evidence suggests that men and women hunted together. -This would mean they were functioning as the first families.

Tools

-Technology -tools and methods to perform tasks -Started out as sticks and stones -Flint - discovered by Paleolithic people, great material for making tools and weapons, especially when added with a stick or pole

The Neolithic Age

-The big change in the Neolithic Age was the shift from hunting and gathering to systematic agriculture -Also known as the Agricultural Revolution because it was such a huge change in the way people obtained food -Some historians consider the Agricultural Revolution the most important event in human history!!!!!

Migration

-The ice ages brought extreme cold -Glaciers covered large areas of the Earth -The oceans' water levels became lower as glaciers became larger leaving an exposed strip of dry land that connected Asia and North America. -This strip was a land bridge. -Paleolithic people may have moved southward and settled in different regions.

Language

-We believe the development of spoken language began in the Old Stone Age -May have started out as a series of sounds and gestures -Language helped them survive by allowing early people to work together

End of the Neolithic Age

-When toolmakers and craftsman discovered they could use copper and tin -Then they figure out that mixing the two made an even stronger material known as bronze -The Bronze Age Began

Land Bridge

*Land bridge* - an area of exposed land that connected two large land areas. Acted as a natural highway that allowed people to travel from Asia to North America.

Specialization

-After people began farming and settling in villages the population increased and there were more workers -Once crops were planted and harvest yielded surpluses people could begin to take on new economic activities -People took up jobs based on their talents, some became very good at their specific job -Some people became artisans, or skilled workers, and could trade their goods for other items

Cities and Government

-Early civilizations developed cities and formed governments -People developed cities for security and trade -They developed governments to protect themselves and their food supplies -The first governments were called a monarchy -Monarchy - a type of government led by a king or queen -The king or queen created armies to defend against enemies and made laws to keep order

The Stone Age

-Historians call the early period of human history the Stone Age. Why? People used stone to make weapons and tools during this time period The Stone Age is divided into 3 eras: -Paleolithic Age "Old Stone Age" -Mesolithic Age "Middle Stone Age" -Neolithic Age "New Stone Age"

Fire

-Life became less difficult when man discovered fire -Provided warmth, light, security and could be used to flush animals from hiding places -Could be used to cook and preserve food -Discovered by rubbing sticks together, striking certain rocks together or by finding it after lightening strikes

Otzi

-Lived 5,300 years ago -Found in 1991 by hikers -A frozen time capsule -Tells us what life was like in the Neolithic Age by what we found with him -Copper Axe

Culture

-Living in communities and villages allowed people to develop more complex ways of life. -More complex cultures became civilizations -4 great river valley civilizations emerged around 3,000 B.C. -Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China

Paleolithic Age Life

-No roads, no farms or villages -People wandered around looking for food -Nomads - people who regularly moved from place to place to survive. -They traveled in small groups or bands of about 20 to 30 people

Migration Results

Many nomadic groups moved further north and south from the Equator.

Hunter Gatherers

-Paleolithic people survived by hunting animals or fishing and gathering fruits, nuts, grains and plants -Men - traveled far from camp to hunt large animals, learned how to track and kill animals, developed tools to hunt and catch prey, became family and community leaders. -Women - maintained the camp and cared for children, searched for berries, nuts, and grains, wove cloth and made clothing, managed food supplies and performed other tasks. -Teamwork - necessary for survival

Religious Institutions

-Religions helped explain the forces of nature and the role of humans in the world. -People believed that gods were responsible for civilizations' survival. -Priests tried to win support of gods by participating in religious ceremonies. -Rulers said their power was based on gods' approval. -People made buildings that were used as places of worship or burial tombs for kings. -Artists portrayed gods and forces of nature in their paintings and sculpture.

The Paleolithic Age

-The "Old Stone Age" -Began around 2.5 million years ago and lasted until around 8,000 B.C. -This is the longest era in human history! -People during this era were Hunter-Gatherers

Characteristics of Evolution

-more complex than communities -developed cities and formed governments -developed in river valleys, where fertile soil made it easy to grow crops and feed a large population -had armies to defend against enemies -made laws to keep order -had religions; people believed gods were responsible for community's survival -had social class structures -had systems of writing that used symbols so people could keep accurate records and preserve stories -created art for enjoyment and for practical purposes

ÇATALHÜYÜK

-was an early community in Turkey. -had shrines decorated with images of gods and goddesses demonstrating that religion was important. -Artwork was found on the walls of the ruins.

Widespread Farming

By 8,000 B.C.; -people in Southwest Asia began growing wheat and barley -They also began domesticating pigs, cows, goats and sheep. Around 6,000 B.C. -People in Egypt and China also farming -Egypt also grew wheat and barley -China grew millet and rice and domesticated dogs and pigs

Population

In areas where villages emerged the number of people quickly rose because people became food producers and had safe communities to live in.

Neolithic Communities

What was life like in the Neolithic Age? -People settled in villages in permanent homes. -Built their homes near their fields -Most importantly; they settled near rivers! -Catal Huyuk and Jericho are the two oldest known Neolithic Settlements