Chapter 1

Before History

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Reserved.

History of the World in 18 min – David Christian

2

Forming the Complex Society

Basic development: Hunting and foraging Agriculture Complex society

Key issue: surplus capital Major development of first complex societies

3500 B.C.E. – 500 B.C.E.

3

Prehistory

What is “prehistory”? Before written records Archaeological discovery

Requisite human presence (or “natural” history)

“venus figurine – possibly represents fertility

cuneiform

Cave art

4

Development of Hominids Animals adapt themselves to environment Hominids adapt environment to themselves

Use of tools Language Complex cooperative social structures

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Australopithecus

“The southern ape” – despite name, a hominid Discovery of skeleton AL-288-1, north of Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia Nicknamed “Lucy”

3’5”, 55lb., bipedal, brain 500 cc (modern human: 1400 cc), limited speech but opposable digit

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6

Later Hominids – increasing complexity and capabilities

Homo erectus, “upright walking human” Larger brain capacity (1000 cc), improved tool use, control of

fire, ability to communicate complex ideas

Homo sapiens, “consciously thinking human” Largest brain, esp. frontal regions Most sophisticated tools and social organization; flexible

language

Migrations of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens

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7

Global Migrations of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens – “Out of Africa” 60,000 bp

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8

The Natural Environment

By 13,000 B.C.E., Homo sapiens in every inhabitable part of the world

Archaeological finds: Sophisticated tools

Choppers, scrapers, axes, knives, bows, arrows Cave and hut-like dwellings Use of fire, animal skins

Hunted several mammal species to extinction Climatic change may have accelerated process

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Paleolithic Era (“Old Stone Age”)

Evidence: Archaeological finds Extrapolation from modern hunter-gatherer societies

Nomadic existence precludes advanced civilization Division of labor along gender lines

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Relative Social Equality

Nomadic culture precludes accumulation of land-based wealth Relatively egalitarian existence More likely determinants of status: age, hunting skill,

fertility, personality Possible gender equality related to food production Men: protein from hunting Women: plant gathering

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11

Big-Game Hunting Evidence of intelligent

coordination of hunting expeditions Development of weaponry Animal-skin disguises Stampeding tactics

Lighting of fires, etc., to drive game into kill zones

Required planning, communication

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12

Neandertal Peoples

Neander valley, western Germany Flourished in Europe and southwest Asia, 200,000

to 35,000 years ago Also found in Africa, east Asia Evidence of spirituality: ritual burial Inhabited some of the same areas as Homo

sapiens

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13

Creativity of Homo sapiens

Constructed flexible languages for communication of complex ideas

Increased variety of tools – stone blades, spear throwers, sewing needles, barbed harpoons

Fabricated ornamental beads, necklaces and bracelets The bow and arrow – a dramatic improvement in humans’

power over nature “Venus” figurines Cave paintings

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14

Neolithic Era (“New Stone Age”)

Distinction in tool production Chipped vs. polished

Relied on cultivation for subsistence Men: herding animals rather than hunting Women: nurturing vegetation rather than foraging

Spread of agriculture Slash-and-burn techniques Exhaustion of soil promotes migration Transport of crops from one region to another

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15

Origins and Early Spread of Agriculture9000 B.C.E – 100 C.E

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16

Agriculture and Population Growth

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Early Agricultural Society Emergence of villages and

towns Discoveries at Çatal Hüyük –

a prominent village located in Turkey, occupied 7250-5400 B.C.E. Pots, baskets, textiles, leather,

stone, metal tools, wood carvings, carpets, beads, and jewelry

Development of crafts – pottery, metallurgy, and textile production

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Social Distinctions

Accumulation of landed wealth initiates development of social classes

Individuals could trade surplus food for valuable items

Archaeological evidence in variety of household decorations, goods buried with deceased members of society at Çatal Hüyük

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19

Neolithic Culture

Farmers closely observed the natural world – an early kind of applied science

Elements of natural environment essential for functioning

Archaeological evidence of religious worship: thousands of clay figurines, drawings on pots, tool decorations, other ritual objects Fertility: Venus figurines

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20

The Origins of Urban Life

Craft specialization i.e. metal workers, pottery, mud-bricks

Social stratification – often dominated by priestly class and political elite; males

Governance – priests/chieftains Cultural workers Development of the city – a gradual process

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History of the World in 2 Hours- Part 5 Neolithic Revolution