TechnologyIndependent innovation or cultural diffusions

Is necessity the mother of invention?Do Now: MC and then Please read“ Is Necessity the Mother of Invention”

Role of nomads Diffusers of technology- pastoralism, chariots, first

empires(Hyksos, Hittites), iron metallurgy (Bantu and Hittites independently)

Destroyers (“ barbarians attacking”) – did they attack or did sedentary cultures expand into nomads territory?

Assimilators- adopt the cultures they blend into (Hebrews)

Religious architecture Monumental building for the purpose of justifying religious

beliefs and authority. Remember, there was little distinction between political and religious power

Writing Systems One of the defining (albeit controversial) characteristics of a

civilization. Helped to maintain records, pass on essential information, codify laws and scripture as well as maintain accurate export-import data

Transportation A means to facilitate trade, warfare or to expand populations

of neighboring territories. This would help early civilizations establish contact with a wider world and go from local to regional to trans-regional.

Calendars Early civilizations needed control over their environment and

star gazing facilitated a greater understanding of the celestial spheres as star gazers provided more accurate data about seasonal changes which would provide a better understanding about planting and harvest seasons.

Clothing and other adornments Artisans and craft workers drew the added distinction as

skilled workers who provided one of the most important consumable commodities required by all people regardless of class… clothing. Elites would require the finest clothing and jewelry and religious groups would add them into their ritualistic repertoire.

irrigation Sedentary societies required massive irrigation projects and

the movement of water to prevent flooding or to collect precious and scarce water resources. Engineers and laborers alike would provided this much needed infrastructure to support life amongst the earliest civilizations.

Military technology With competition over resources growing and the need to

maintain law and order, militaries and their respective technology would allow for the strength and vitality of both the first civilizations and provide cause for the first empires.

Documents Grouping Politically, economically and Culturally? By regions By chronology Must be at least three groups

P.O.V Look at source ( what perspective based on status,

geography,gender, religion?) Remember you must have at least 2 POV

Ex. Document 7 is teken from the account of a European explorer who deems the “primitive” device of the Chavin as a “supposed” form of communication. He is clearly marginilizing their technological role in an attempt to dominate their culture.

Thesis and Additional Documents Technology played an essential role in the ancient world from

8000 B.C.E – 600 B.C.E as those who the newest ideas to solve problems became the most dominant political forces, their ideas helped to maintain the resources for the growing populations and facilitated a sense of communication and identity to account for their cultural importance in the ancient world. A fragment from the Olmecs megaliths would help to expand the idea that civilizations in Latin America would disprove the Eurocentric notion that there were no major technologies coming out of the Western Hemisphere in the ancient period.

Other Additional documents Account from a slave to determine how technology impacted

their labor ( farming)

An Egyptian scribe to identify the skill set applied to writing in papyrus

A clay seal from Mohenjo Daro found in Mesopotamia to illustrate the importance of trade and sailing technology at the time