PrehistoryPaleolithic Period becomes Neolithic Period

An Overview

The prehistoric periods c. 4.5 MYA-3700 BC Major accomplishments

Tool manufacture and use Communication

Verbal Written?

Domestication of animals And plants?

Finally: agriculture The “First Wave”

The Paleolithic period “old stone age” c. 500,000 BC - c. 4000 BC Basic features

Hunting and gathering Nomadic Remarkable art Simple tools of chipped stone Simple shelters Fire

c. 150,000 BC? Language

The nomadic life

Extraordinary art!

Cave art What general theme is

evident here?

Cave artists

Paleolithic religion?

Early stone tools B.

C.

A. Homo habilis B. Homo erectus C. Neanderthal

A.

Beginning of Civilization

Six Characteristics Cities Government Religion Social Structure Writing Art

The Neolithic period Began in Middle East around 6000 BC

to c. 1700 BC Basic features

Food production (basic farming) Polished stone tools

and weapons? More settled, less nomadic lifestyles “permanent” villages Population increases Development of a more complex social order

The Fertile Crescent

Shaduf =

Agriculture

Farming

Settling down

Prerequisite to civilization

Jericho

Jordan River valley c. 8000 BC

Catal Hüyük

Modern Turkey c. 6500 BC

Catal Hüyük (cont.)

Homes of clay

The first writing? Pictographs become writing

Neolithic religious life Gods (figures) for good

crops, leadership, explain social order

Fertility

Earth Mother ShamanMan’s Head

Bronze Age leads to Iron Age

Copper Age - soft metal tools Bronze Age - 3000 BC to 1200 BC

Copper and tin combined to make strong bronze tools

Iron Age – After about 1000 BC Iron tools are stronger and better than bronze

River Valleys

Civilizations grew in the river valleys of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China Water Agriculture Building materials

Culture developed The way of life of people became more complex