Today we took notes in class.
3000-1200 B.C.E.
Before Civilization
- the origins and "ages" of human beings
- 2000 years ago, a human species emerged in southwestern Africa
- 14,000 years ago, a world wide human race existed
- earliest prehistoric age is the paleolithic age (old stone age)
- Neolithic age (new stone age) was marked by advanced tool making and the beginnings of agriculture
- initially, humans were part of migratory groups which hunted, fished, and gathered plants for food
Prehistoric era
- The agricultural revolution
- Also known as neolithic revolution, this was a shift from itinerant hunting/gathering to more permanent settlements centered on agriculture
- Populations rose due to increased ability to care for young children
- Hierarchies appeared in village life; the status of women was lowered as women were confined more to domestic duties
- Invention of the wheel and plow made it possible to produce enough food for storage
- Villagers were polytheists; worshipped multiple nature, human, and animal gods.
The earliest cities
- the district known as Sumer occupied the land between Tigris and Euphrates River
- Population increased dramatically due to new irrigation techniques
- Cities and towns were founded, some with as many as 40,000 inhabitants
- Better food storage allowed for diversity in professions: Priests, tradesmen, artisans, politicians, farmers
- Kings emerged, as did family dynasties and the concept of the "city-state"
- Sumerians invented the earliest form of writing, known as "cuneiform"
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