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Prehistory and First Civilizations Handouts

Barney’s Rubble—Information Sheet

Welcome to Barney’s Rubble! You are Dr. Dig, an archaeologist. Archaeologists are men and women who study the cultures of ancient people. You and your colleagues have found much evidence about the early prehistoric people called the Boney Barneys. These people once lived in Ancient Acres, a place much like Columbus, Ohio. You, Dr. Dig, will be studying one of the ancient burial tombs of the Boney Barneys. You have found much evidence that can tell you about their lives.

Background Evidence Ancient Acres is rich in mineral resources. There is clay, limestone, flint, oil, and salt. But, Ancient Acres lacks some minerals such as gold, silver, and copper. Other resources more than make up for this lack.

Task Use the clues provided by the Background Evidence (above) and the artifacts from the Barney’s Rubble dig site to complete the questions on the Archaeology Worksheet.

Prehistory and First Civilizations 1

Barney’s Rubble—Ancient Dig Site

A. Adult male, “Barney,” lying in a burial tomb B. Necklace made of copper beads C. Clay tobacco pipe D. Bracelet made of sea shells E. Remains of wooden stick used for counting F. Sharp stone used for plowing or digging G. Flint knife H. Stone slab with traces of corncobs I. Clay pots, probably food and water vessels

J. Calendar stone


Dr. Dig’s Archaeology Worksheet

1) What did the Boney Barneys eat? How do you know?

2) How did the Boney Barneys get their food? What evidencedo you have?

3) Did the Boney Barneys have any measuring tools? Howmight they have been used?

4) How did the Boney Barneys use the mineral resources intheir area?

5) Did the Boney Barneys trade with other people? How doyou know?

6) Is there any evidence of advanced thinking? Explain.


Dr. Dig’s Archaeology Worksheet—Answer Key

1) What did the Boney Barneys eat? How do you know? They ate corn because archaeologists found stone slabs with traces of corncobs on them.

2) How did the Boney Barneys get their food? What evidence do youhave? They got their food from farming because archaeologists found sharp stones, which were used for plowing or digging.

3) Did the Boney Barneys have any measuring tools? How might theyhave been used? Yes, they did have measuring tools—they had wooden sticks, which could be used for counting, and they had clay pots, which could be used for measuring liquids. They also had a calendar stone to count the days.

4) How did the Boney Barneys use the mineral resources in their area?They used the mineral resources to make clay tobacco pipes, clay pots, and

flint knives.

5) Did the Boney Barneys trade with other people? How do you know? Yes, the Boney Barneys did trade with other people because they made jewelry from copper beads even though they had no copper in their area. Therefore, they must have traded with others to obtain the copper. They might also have traded for the sea shells to make the bracelet.

6) Is there any evidence of advanced thinking? Explain. Archaeologists found evidence of advanced thinking when they found calendars made of stone. This indicates advanced thinking with mathematics and science (astronomy).


Comparing Paleolithic and Neolithic Times

Paleolithic Neolithic


Comparing Paleolithic and Neolithic Times Directions: Cut out each aspect of daily life and determine whether it

is Paleolithic or Neolithic times. Paste it under the appropriate category.

water bag berries and grapes

stone arrowhead

wooly mammoth

bark and skin structures special tombs animal skins community

corn and beans caves well water sheep

woven cloth graves tribe iron knife

walked tooth necklace obsidian necklace boats

river water cooked meat raw meat clay jar


Comparing Paleolithic and Neolithic Times-answer sheet

Paleolithic

raw meat

wooly mammoth

stone arrowheads

walking

berries and grapes

river

caves

water bag

tooth necklace

tribe

animal skins

graves

Neolithic

cooked meat

sheep

iron knife

boats

corn and beans

well

structures

clay jar

obsidian necklace

community

woven cloth

special tombs


Civilization

Early River Civilizations Matrix

Time Span River(s) Accomplishments

Mesopotamia • Sumerians

• Babylonians

• Assyrians

• 3500 – 2000 B.C.E.

• 2000 – 562 B.C.E.

• 1350 – 612 B.C.E.

Tigris and Euphrates

• first written language—cuneiform• science, mathematics, developed a calendar• used the wheel for farming, transportation, war• written code of laws• first library• system of roads

Egypt • Old Kingdom

• Middle Kingdom

• New Kingdom

• 2700 - 2200 B.C.E.

• 2100 –1800 B.C.E.

• 1600 – 1100 B.C.E.

Nile

• Made paper from papyrus• invented a calendar• built the great pyramids• invented a machine to lift water from the Nile• used a loom to weave cloth• invented hieroglyphics, a system of writing

China • Hsia Dynasty

• Shang Dynasty

• 2000 – 1500 B.C.E.

• 1500 – 1122 B.C.E.Huang He (Yellow)

• cultivated millet and wheat• created pottery using potter’s wheel• invented writing• cultivated silkworms for silk thread• domesticated animals• complex system of government

Indus River Valley

3000 – 1500 B.C.E. Indus

• drainage and sewer systems and irrigation canals• indoor bathrooms• woven cloth• copper and bronze tools


Map of Early River Civilizations

Use an atlas to locate the rivers listed on the Early River Civilizations matrix (1.4f). Label the rivers on the map and outline them in blue. Use red to label the civilizations located near each river.


Timeline of Early River Civilizations Use the Early River Civilizations Matrix to locate the years that each civilization existed. Shade in and label the timeline using different colors for each civilization. There is an overlap with the Babylonians and Assyrians. Divide the timeline lengthwise at that point and use the separate colors. Note: Because all of these civilizations are in the years B.C.E., the numbers on the timeline get smaller as they move to the right toward the year 1.

B.C.E. 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 B.C.E. Mesopotamia

Egypt

China

Indus River Valley

B.C.E. 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 B.C.E.


Internet Scavenger Hunt Internet Scavenger Hunt

Can you believe that thousands of years ago people built great structures that are still standing today? They did this without the technology that we have today. Check out the website below to learn about these great structures.

http://www.greatbuildings.com/types/styles/neolithic.html

1. How do they distinguish between the Paleolithic and Neolithic cultures?

2. Identify one major structure from the Neolithic period.

Card 1

1. Neolithic cultures are distinguished from earlier Paleolithic and Mesolithicstructures by the domestication of plants and animals, and extensivemaking and use of stone tools.

2. Stonehenge

Card 1 Answers


Internet Scavenger Hunt

What were people like thousands of years ago? Do you think you would have liked living during these ancient times? Check out the website below to learn more about what life was like.

http://www.mrdowling.com/602prehistory.html

1. What were the roles of the men and women?

2. What happened if all the plants were eaten and all the animals were gone?What would the early people do to survive?

Card 2

Internet Scavenger Hunt

1. Men hunted animals and women gathered wild plants.

2. The early people would move to a new area to locate food.

Card 2 Answers


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