Ch 1: First Civilizations Flashcards
0
Q
Australopithecus
A
Early ground dwelling ape.
1
Q
Hominids
A
- Earliest “human-like” creatures.
- Flourished in East/South Africa.
- 3-4 million years ago.
2
Q
Homo habilis
A
Walked upright, had thumb, used tools.
3
Q
Homo Erectus
A
- 1st to leave Africa.
- Use of fire allowed for Northern
migration.
4
Q
Neanderthal
A
- 40,000-200,000 years ago.
- Adapted to cold climates.
- Lived in Europe, Asia, and Africa
- Skilled hunters, adapted to
environment.
5
Q
Cro-Magnon Man
A
- 150,000 - 40,000 years ago
- 1st true human populations
(Europe)
-New hunting weapons - Art & music: cave paintings in Alta
Mira, Spain - Larger brains
6
Q
Paleolithic Age
A
"Old Stone Age"-before 12k yrs ago
-Eoliths: to make stone tools
-Hunted,fished and gathered
food
Lived in caves, but built shelter with animal hides also.
7
Q
Mesolithic Era
A
-Mid Stone Age - 12k-10k years ago
-Moved north (towards America)
-Used bow, arrow, fishhooks, sleds,
and canoes.
-Gradual transition from food
gathering to food producing
8
Q
Neolithic Era
A
- 10k-8k years ago
- Started growing crops and
domesticated animals. - No longer forced to be nomadic;
Created cities in the Near East - Arts: pottery & textiles
- Religious practices (honor mother
goddess)
9
Q
Formation of Society
A
- Families were basic social unit
-monogamous and patrilineal - Several extended families = a clan
-common speech, culture, and
patterns - Harsh punishments to keep justice
- Elders provided leadership
10
Q
Neolithic “Science”
A
- animism: all things have a spirit
-belief in an afterlife
-worship of fertility & life spirits
-shamans preached magical
powers - observance, investigation,
experimenting (trial and error) - Megaliths: giant stone examples of
geometric form and astronomical
functions (original calendar)
11
Q
Emerging Civilizations
A
- All civilizations need: fertile soil,
mild climate and river source.
- Characteristics of civ:
Urban focus, political & religious
structures, social structure,
writing, and art
12
Q
Mesopotamia
A
- Southwest Asia
- Fertile Crescent: “land between
two rivers” (Tigris & Euphrates)
- Fertile Crescent: “land between
- Bronze age: imported metal &
timber while exporting grain. - Use of metal, wheel, & sailing ship
13
Q
Sumerian People
A
- Population grew with more food production - Scribes kept business records - Cuneiform: pictographs (wedge- shaped impressions) on clay tablets
14
Q
Sumerian Cities
A
- By 3000 BC had est. # of independent cities in southern Mesopotamia - Theocracy: Gov by divine power - Warfare
