Paleolithic Humans &The Neolithic Revolutionpg.22-25 and 27-31

Prehistory

Prehistory is all history before written history.

If it’s not written down, then how do we know it happened?

How do you know that dinosaurs existed?

Archaeology & Anthropology

Archaeologists study artifacts: the objects that get left behind.

Anthropologists study artifacts and fossils to find out about the people who created the objects.

What does this picture tell you about the people who made this object?

Simulation

You are on an expedition in 3042 with a team of archeologists and anthropologists.

You uncover: A room full of skeletons, all sitting around a

strange large black box. They are all facing one side of the box.

One man has a strange rectangular object in his hand. What do you think it is?

What would you guess?

Simulation continued

A giant building was uncovered. It appears that the people had these big meetings of men in

strange outfits. The men would line up in a 2 rows across from each other. There would be 1 key speaker (Head) in behind the row

speaking to the row of people across from him. 2 men (one on each side) would be on the ends of the row to

protect the Head from outside forces entering the row. At the end of the meeting area (on both sides) are these strange

metal things pointing upward towards the gods. What is this? What’s going on?

Paleolithic People

Paleo = old Lithic = stone age Paleolithic = old stone age Paleolithic people used simple stone

tools at first. Later, they invented the spear, followed by the bow and arrow. They also created harpoons and fishing hooks.

Hunter-Gatherers

Paleolithic people were nomads. Nomads are people who wander; they

don’t live in one place all the time. They move to follow their food – animals and plants.

Men and women had different roles when it came to finding food. Men did most of the hunting (animals), and

women did most of the gathering (plants).

Hunter-Gatherers

Eventually, a type of human called Homo erectus learned to start intentional fires. Before they learned to set fires on

purpose, humans had to rely on things like lightning to make fire.

This helped humans survive through the Ice Ages.

Early Artists

This painting is in a cave in Lascaux, France.

What does it tell you about the people who painted it?

Assignment: Create your own cave drawing that represents you, your culture, your family, your life. Keep it basic. You may research Cave Drawings for ideas.

You have 10 Minutes!

The Neolithic Revolution

Neo = new Lithic = stone age Neolithic = new stone age The Neolithic Revolution was the transition from a food

gathering society to a food producing society. Humans settled down to grow their food instead of following

it. The Revolution was a totally new way of living: from hunter-

gatherers to agriculture.

The invention of agriculture changed the way people lived.

Agriculture (Farming)

Growth of Cities

Division of Labor (Specialization)

Trade

Writing and Math

What makes a civilization?

cities government religion

division of labor writing art

Geography influenced the development of river valley civilizations.

Honors Homework!

Go to the Wiki and Print off your homework assignment (under assignments) Use your notes from today and the Internet if you need more help. If you don’t have access to a printer, you may create your own version of the document.