Lecture One: History 115

Early Civilizations: Paleolithic, Neolithic, Mesopotamian, and

Egyptian,

What does it mean to be a civilization? (common

characteristics)

• System of communication• Stable location• Rules of governance (that is a common

code/set of laws)• Production of non-necessities (art, surplus

goods for trade)

What factors allow for the development of civilizations?

• Access to a river• Agriculture• Good defensive position• Enough population to defend the group and to

continue to grow

*** All civilizations require enough time and resources that they can develop beyond mere sustenance

Periodization

• Paleolithic Era: 400,000-7000 BCE

• Very early peoples

• No written history

• Archaeology/Anthropology

• No civilizations (as previously defined)

• Rudimentary tools

Venus of Willendorf 28,000-23,000 B.C.E.

Upper Paleolithic

Hall of the Bulls, 15,000-13,000 B.C.E

Map of the Ancient World