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From the Stone age to Civilization. Paleolithic “Old Stone age”. Stone tools Hunter/Gathers Constantly looking for new resources WATER IS ESSENTIAL FOOD IS A CLOSE 2 ND As resources are used up, clan migrates (wanders) Society of equals Food = power in the clan
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Paleolithic“Old Stone age” • Stone tools • Hunter/Gathers • Constantly looking for new resources • WATER IS ESSENTIAL • FOOD IS A CLOSE 2ND • As resources are used up, clan migrates (wanders) • Society of equals • Food = power in the clan • Men & Women both brought in food so they were probably equals
Neolithic“New Stone Age” • 2 factors led to people settling down: • Farming • Domesticated animals • Used for food and work • Tools remained stone, at first, then were made of soft metals (copper and bronze) • What were the advantages of settling down?
Why is sedentary good?(Staying in 1 place) • Housing improves • Migrants can’t carry stone houses • Farming leads to more reliable food supply • Hunting supplements the food • Creates more leisure time • As people live together, they form more complex social structures • Govt., • class hierarchy, • shared goals and beliefs
Alas . . . • Men take over the farming (food supply) • And women raise the kids • It becomes a patriarchal society Led by men, as the women lose status. Still true today! Men bring home the food/money.
Culture is born • Culture – a way of life, usually includes, shared traditions, beliefs, values and cooperative efforts. • Stone age culture was simple • We work together to survive
End of the Neolithic 4,000 B.C. – copper tools appear • Better than stone but still soft 3,000 – 1,200 B.C. Bronze Age Bronze is much stronger copper + tin
Civilizations Emerge !!!! • Villages grow into cities • Wealth and plenty accumulate • Trade between cities occurs • Walls are built and armies form to protect • Complex Cultures form • lots of people sharing common elements
6 characteristics of a Civilization • Cities • Usually near rivers to support large population and irrigate farms • Governments • Regulate the population • Defend the community • Monarchs, at first • Religions • explained nature and the events around them • Religious leaders were very powerful
6 characteristics of a Civilization • Social Structure • Specialized jobs • Not every one has to farm • People can turn to other pursuits (art, trading, manufacturing) • Upper class forms • Rulers, priests, warriors • Farmers, workers • Women continue to lose influence • Stuck at home with the kids
6 characteristics of a Civilization • Writing • Necessary to keep accurate records • Cuneiform is the earliest • Sumer, in Southern Iraq Eventually, artistic expression leads to literature. Gilgamesh – perhaps the oldest book in the world, from Sumer Story of KingUruk and his friend Enkdiu Many parts show how the Sumerian religion explained the events around them.
6 characteristics of a Civilization • Artisitc Activity • Usually centered on Religious symbols • Architecture: Temples, Tombs, Pyramids • Paintings and Sculptures: gods and goddesses