First People – First Farmers

Key Concept 1.1. Big Geography and the Peopling of the Earth

The term Big Geography draws attention to the global nature of world history. Throughout the Paleolithic period, humans migrated from Africa to Eurasia, Australia, and the Americas. Early humans were mobile and creative in adapting to different geographical settings from savanna to desert to Ice Age tundra. By making an analogy with modern hunterforager societies, anthropologists infer that these bands were relatively egalitarian. Humans also developed varied and sophisticated technologies.

What key points should we take from this key concept?

Key Dates

3,500 B.C.E. – 1000 B.C.E – rise of first civilizations

What is meant by the term Civilizations?

New type of civilization made possible by the AR

• Large populations• Cities – 10,000 +• State organizes &controls citizens• Economic specialization• Inequality of wealth Describe the differences in

control over people in chiefdoms and civilizations.

Origins of Civilizations

• Neolithic Revolution (AR)• Irrigation Projects• Attempted order• Protect the elite• Warfare

Rise of the State

• Purpose of states • Conflict between peoples• Large scale irrigation• Warfare and protection

• Source of Power• China – son of heaven• Stewards of local god• Ability to collect and distribute tribute• Force is possible

Independent, global, 3,500 B.C.E. – 1000 B.C.E.

Mesopotamia

Nile River Valley

Indus River Valley

ShangOlmecs

Norte Chico

Core and Foundational Civilizations

Global

phenomenon

Civilizations led to inequality

Egyptian man beating a slavewhile another begs for mercy

• Burial sites and architecture show inequalities

• Slavery arises with civilizations

• Society becomes patriarchal

Laws make distinctions between classes

Legal System

• The Code of Hammurabi • Established high standards of

behavior and stern punishment for violators– lex talionis – “law of retaliation”– Social status and punishment– women as property, but some rights

Rise of Patriarchal Societies

WarfarePlow based agricultureTaming natureMore children Property inheritance “Demotion of the Goddess”Continues today

Describe rights of Egyptian women

What led to the rise of

patriarchal societies?

What is horticulture?

Writing systems emergeStudy the table on page 79 of the textbook.

Add three observations to your notebook.

Oracle bones

Cuneiform

Mesopotamia

• 3,000 B.C.E.

• Temple• “Mountain of

the Gods

• 80% Urban

Ziggurat at Ur

Defensive Walls