Unveiling Ancient Civilizations: Discovering the Past Through Geography and History

1. I.Geography and History A.Introduction 1.The Iceman’s frozen body was found in the Alps. 2.His clothing, tools, and his body provide clues about his life and death. 3.The Iceman lived 5,000 years ago, in about 3,000 BC. 4.The most important clue about his life was his copper ax. B.Understanding History 1.We are curious about our past and earliest origins. 2.History begins with writing. Prehistory is the time before writing. 3.Archaeologists rely on clues other than written records. 4.Historians study written records to understand a society. 5.Oral traditions are passed down by word of mouth. 6.Oral traditions are important to historians, although not always accurate. C.Linking Geography and History 1.The connections between geography and history is the KEY to understand why things happen. 2.Egypt is the perfect example of the connection between geography and history.

2. II.Prehistory A.Introduction 1.Humans were on the earth 3 and ½ million years ago. 2.The footprints were almost identical to those made by modern humans. B.Stone Age Hunting and Gathering 1.By studying tools, we learn about the development of human culture. 2.Humans used stones for hundreds of thousands of years. 3.We were hunters and gatherers during the Old Stone Age. 4.Between 1.4 million and 500,000 years ago, our ancestors learned to use fire. 5.Controlling fire allowed people to move to colder climates. 6.Many of our Old Stone Age ancestors were nomads. 7.People eventually spread out all over the world. C.The Beginning of Farming 1.The practice of farming began the New Stone Age. 2.Farming meant that people could settle down and not be nomads. 3.Pastoral nomads traveled from place to place in search of grazing areas for their animals. 4.Women probably invented farming because men were out hunting. 5.At various places around the earth, people found good farming conditions. 6.Chinese farmers began planting rice and other crops 9,000 years ago. 7.Crops have gotten bigger and better over the years. 8.People learned to tame animals by 2,500 BC. 9.Only a few species of large animals have been tamed.

3. III.The Beginnings of Civilization A.Introduction 1.People are digging a trench together that will become a canal. 2.The construction workers are irrigating like we do today. 3.For thousands of years people have been controlling water. B.Advantages of a Settled Life. 1.A surplus of food allowed people to settle down. 2.A surplus of food allowed people to have bigger families. 3.Farming allowed the world population to increase. 4.Gradually, as the populations increased, settlements grew into towns. 5.Food surpluses allowed people to become artisans. (skilled workers) C.The Growth of Cities 1.Where soil was really good along rivers, cities began to develop. 2.Early cities began along the Nile, Tigris and Euphrates, Huang, and Indus Rivers. 3.Ancient cities were similar to our cities. (public buildings, worship buildings, buildings for buying and selling goods) 4.As population grew, governments (laws) began to develop.

4. D.The First Civilizations 1.All civilizations have 8 characteristics that they share. 2.The Bronze Age began when people combined copper and tin. 3.Bronze was harder than copper. This made tools and weapons better. 4.Traders took valuable items to other cities and civilizations. 5.The invention of the wheel and axle allowed trading to be easier and faster. 6.Trade allowed ideas, people, and information among civilizations. (especially sea trade) 7.Social classes developed when people became wealthier. 8.Rulers and religious leaders were at the top of the social class. 9.Slavery was common in ancient civilizations and made up the lower social class.

5. Extra Notes: Why History? (handout) What are the 5 themes (guiding questions) of Social Studies? Geography, History, Culture, Government, Economics What is the ancient world? 3,000 BC – 476 AD (the fall of the Roman Empire) What are the 6 ancient civilizations we will study? Fertile Crescent (Mesopotamia), India, China, Egypt, Greece, Rome (Greece and Rome are not considered that old.) Examples of the link between geography and history. Egypt, Lehigh Valley, Battle of Gettysburg What do BC, BCE, AD, CE, and c. mean? BC = Before Christ, BCE = Before the Common Era, AD = Anno Domini “year of our Lord”, CE = Common Era, c. = “circa” (around)

6. What are the 4 keys to civilization? Hunting and Gathering, Fire, Farming, Taming Animals Surplus of food allowed people to…\ Settle down, Have bigger families, Artisans developed Characteristics of all Civilizations (8) Government, Writing, Cities, Artisans, Art, Architecture, Social Classes, Trade Social Class is determined by… Education, Occupation, Income, and Wealth