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The Stone Ages. Paleolithic Era Neolithic Era. Paleolithic Era. OLD STONE AGE 4.5 million years ago Hominids emerged. Neolithic Era. NEW STONE AGE 10,000 years ago Neolithic Revolution = Agricultural Revolution
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The Stone Ages Paleolithic Era Neolithic Era
Paleolithic Era • OLD STONE AGE • 4.5 million years ago • Hominids emerged
Neolithic Era • NEW STONE AGE • 10,000 years ago • Neolithic Revolution = Agricultural Revolution • Shift from food gathering to food producing
Neolithic Era • So, what’s the big deal? • Allowed for permanent settlement, food surpluses, the domestication of animals & new technology
Cradles of Civilization • Tigris/Euphrates River: Iraq • Nile River: Egypt • Indus River: South Asia (Pakistan/India) • Huang He River: East Asia (China)
Characteristics • Specialized Workers • Advanced Cities • Complex Institutions • Record Keeping • Improved Technology
Specialized Workers • Due to food surpluses, fewer people had to farm; time to refine skills & specialize • Examples: Artisans, Sailors, Merchants, Weavers, Priests,etc.
Advanced Cities • Once people began living together in one area, they established centers for trade • Examples: farmers, merchants, and traders brought goods to market in the cities
Complex Institutions • Supervise and protect agriculture & trade; Organize the community • Examples: Government, Religion, Economy
Record Keeping • To pass on and preserve information • Examples: Record amounts of grain, water levels, religious offerings, passage of laws, calendar, written language,etc.
Improved Technology • New tools & techniques to solve problems • Examples: ox-drawn plows, irrigation systems, potter’s wheel, tools from metal