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Prehistory• Hunting and gathering societies
dominated human history until 9000 B.C.E.
• These people helped propel migration over most of the lands on earth.
Human Life Before Agriculture• The nature of the human species
gradually changed during the Paleolithic (Old Stone) Age.
• Homo erectus: A less apelike species whose larger brain, erect stance, and opposable thumbs emerged btwn. 500,000 and 750,000 years ago.
• More advanced humans killed off competitors over time, and the newest human breed Homo sapiens originated c. 240,000 years ago in Africa.
• All humans in the world today are descendents of homo sapiens…….. Except Sasquatch, maybe.
Human Life Before Agriculture• The greatest achievement of Paleolithic people was
spreading the human species. • Mesolithic ppl. Domesticated cows, improving food
supply. • Neolithic ppl. Invented agriculture, and built the 1st
cities, foreshadowing civilization. • The invention of agriculture and the discover of metal
tools (Bronze Age, 4000 B.C.E.), moved the human species toward civilization.
• With agriculture, humans were able to settle in one spot and focus on particular economic, political, and religious goals and activities.
Indo-European Migrations: 4m-2m BCE
Indo-European Migrations: 4m-2m BCE
The Middle East: “The Crossroads of Three Continents”
The Middle East: “The Crossroads of Three Continents”
The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area
The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area
The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”
The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”
Civilization• The word civilization comes from the Latin word for
city. • The first civilizations formed in Mesopotamia, Egypt,
the Indus River basin, China, and Central America. • The very 1st arose in the Middle East along the banks
of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. • Mesopotamian civilization is one of only a few cases
of a civilization developed completely from scratch, with no examples to imitate (& China, Olmecs).
Sumerians• 1st Mesopotamian Civ. 3500 B.C.E. • Developed cuneiform alphabet, 1st
known case of human writing. Scribes wrote on clay tablets.
• Devised syst. of #s based on units of 10, 60, and 360 that we still use in calculating circles and hours.
Sumerians• Ziggurats: 1st monumental architecture. Each
cit had one, devoted to patron god. • Sumerians polit. structures were organized
around city states, led by king. • Govt. regulated religion, provided a court
system, and kings were military leaders. • Land was worked by slaves, beginning long
tradition of slavery.
SumeriansSumerians
Cuneiform: “Wedge-Shaped” Writing
Cuneiform: “Wedge-Shaped” Writing
Cuneiform WritingCuneiform Writing
Deciphering Cuneiform
Deciphering Cuneiform
The Importance of Writing• Most civilizations developed writing. Societies that
employ writing can organize more elaborate political structures, b/c it allows them to send messages and keep records.
• With writing, they could tax more efficiently, and make contracts and treaties.
• Societies with writing can generate a more intellectual climate b/c of their ability to record data and build on past, written wisdom.
• Becoming literate changes the way people think, encouraging them to consider the world as a place that can be understood rationally.
Sumerian Religion – Polytheistic
Government-Theocracy
Sumerian Religion – Polytheistic
Government-Theocracy
GilgameshGilgamesh
Gilgamesh Epic Tablet:Flood Story
Gilgamesh Epic Tablet:Flood Story
Ziggurat at UrZiggurat at Ur
Temple
“Mountain of the Gods”
Temple
“Mountain of the Gods”
Mesopotamian HarpMesopotamian Harp
Board Game From UrBoard Game From Ur
Akkadians, Babylonians, & Beyond
• Sumerians fell to the Akkadians, who contd. Much of Sumerian culture.
• Another period of decline was followed by the Babylonian conquest.
• The Akkadians and Babylonians spread civilization to other parts of the Mid. East. through conquest.
• Under the Babylonian rule of king Hammurabi, the 1st codified system of law was introduced.
• By 2100 B.C.E. invasions by Semitic peopes from the south brought Semitic language to the region.
• Btwn. 1200 and 900 B.C.E. the Assyrians and then the Persians created large empires in the Mid East.
Sargon of Akkad:The World’s First Empire
[Akkadians]
Sargon of Akkad:The World’s First Empire
[Akkadians]
The Babylonian Empires
The Babylonian Empires
Hammurabi’s [r. 1792-1750 B. C. E.] Code
Hammurabi’s [r. 1792-1750 B. C. E.] Code
Hammurabi, TheocracyHammurabi, Theocracy
Babylonian NumbersBabylonian Numbers
Babylonian MathBabylonian Math
Works Cited• Adas, M., Gilbert, M.J., Schwartz,
S.B., & Stearns, P.N. (2007). World civilizations: The global experience. (5th ed.). New York: Pearson Education.
• Images from Susan M. PojerHorace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY, http://www.pptpalooza.net/.