Early Humans and the Beginning of Civilization

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Early Humans and the Beginning of Civilization

• A WH1 Presentation
• by Mr. Hess

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Introduction

• The entire time that humans have existed can be
  divided into three periods
• Early humans (so-called cave men)
• Neolithic Revolution (when farming began)
• Civilization

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1. Early Humans

• Modern humans are believed to have originated in
  Africa about 50,000 years ago, and then spread to
  other continents.
• They lived by hunting and gathering, and
  developed tools such as hammers, axes, and spears.

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Early Humans, cont.

• Early humans lived in temporary structures, and
  moved as their food needs demanded.
• Our knowledge of early humans is limited to
  archaeological evidence, due to the lack of
  written records.

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2. The Neolithic Revolution

• The Neolithic revolution was the gradual shift
  from gathering and hunting food to producing food
  (agriculture).
• Agriculture was used in the middle east as far
  back as 8000 BC, and in China and the Americas as
  far back as 4000 BC.

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The Neolithic Revolution, cont.

• Along with growing crops, farmers raised animals
  for meat, milk and eggs.
• Farming caused people to stay longer in one place
  and gave them a more steady food supply, but this
  meant working harder.

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The Neolithic Revolution, cont.

• Agricultural villages began to develop in places
  where there was fertile soil and abundant water.
• Technological advances included the wheel, clay
  bricks, and metal jewelry and weapons.

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3. Civilization

• Neolithic villages slowly evolved into
  civilizations.
• Civilization a highly organized society marked
  by advanced knowledge of trade, government, arts,
  and science.
• Civilization the rise of cities.

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Civilization, cont.

• Early cities were all formed in river valleys
• The Nile River valley (Egypt)
• The Tigris and Euphrates rivers (Iraq)
• The Indus River valley (Pakistan)
• The Huang He River valley (China)

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Civilization, cont.

• All of these civilizations arose between 4000 BC
  and 1500 BC, but there were still agricultural
  villages and nomadic societies in addition.
• Civilizations depended on farmers growing surplus
  crops that they could sell, freeing other people
  to earn their living in other ways.

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New Developments of Civilization

• Massive irrigation systems for watering crops
• Specialization of labor
• Long-distance trade by animal caravans or ships
• Organized government to direct the labor force
  and protect the cities kings came into being
• Writing