THE%20NEOLITHIC%20REVOLUTION

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THENEOLITHIC REVOLUTION
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• Essential Question
• What was the significance of the Neolithic
  Revolution?

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Pre-historic early humans were hunter-gatherers
for thousands of years they hunted animals and
collected plant foods
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Neolithic Revolution
Some hunters and gatherers were advanced, but
were never able to develop complex societies
because they had to migrate (constantly be on the
move) to find food
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Neolithic Revolution
These early humans who had to move around to find
their food were called nomads
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Neolithic Revolution
Farming changed the way humans lived
Around 8,000 B.C.E. (Before Common Era), the
Neolithic Revolution (a revolution in
agriculture) occurred early humans discovered
how to farm and domesticate animals
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Neolithic Revolution
Farming changed the way humans lived
People no longer had to be roaming nomads
Food surpluses led to population increases
Farming villages became established along river
valleys the rivers offered good soil,
irrigation, and sources of drinking water
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Neolithic Revolution Spread of Agriculture
The earliest civilizations sprung up around river
valleys the first civilizations were located
around Mesopotamia (todays Middle East region)
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Simply put more food means more people when
there is a steady food supply, people are
healthier and have more children
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Neolithic Revolution
Around 3,000 B.C., some farming villages became
complex civilizations this was the start of
cities What characteristics are needed to make
people into a civilization?
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• Advanced cities

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Characteristics of Civilizations
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Civilizations must have cities that are centers
of trade for large areas
One of the first civilizations arose in Sumer,
which was part of Mesopotamia
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Civilizations must have technologies (knowledge,
tools, inventions) that make their lives easier
For example, Sumerians melted and mixed copper
and tin, which creates bronze bronze made tools
and weapons stronger
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Civilizations must have writing in order to keep
records of taxes, laws, and trade
Sumerian scribes (record keepers) invented a
system of writing called cuneiform, a series of
wedge-shaped symbols
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The abundant food supply enabled people to do
other things besides farm some became artisans,
those who made goods (clothes, jewelry, weapons)
by hand
Civilizations must have specialized workers that
do specific jobs this creates a class system
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Civilizations must have complex institutions like
government and religion to keep order
Temples became the center of both religion and
government, as people believed gods governed the
cities activities
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Closure Activity

• Now that we have defined civilization, answer
  this question
• Is the United States a civilization?
• Give evidence to support your answer.