Chapter 1 - The Peopling Of The World Flashcards
Prehistory
Before the invention of writing.
Artifact
A human-made object such as a tool, weapon, or piece of jewelry.
Ziggurat
A tiered, pyramid-shaped structure that formed part of a Sumerian temple.
Hominid
A member of a biological group including human beings and related species that walk upright.
Archaeologist
Study the ancient and recent human past through material remains.
Fossil
Evidence of early life preserved in rock.
Nomad
A member of a group that has no permanent home, wandering from place to place in search of food and water.
Barter
A form of trade in which people exchange goods and services without the use of money.
Artisan
A skilled worker, such as a weaver or potter, who makes goods by hand.
Specialization
The development of skills in a particular kind of work, such as trading or record keeping.
Scribe
One of the professional record keepers in early civilization.
Anthropologist
Studies the origins and development of human beings and their culture.
Paleontologist
Studies fossils
Obsidian
A volcanic rock used for mirrors, knives, and other tools.
Institution
A long-lasting pattern of organization in a community
Cuneiform
A system of writing with wedge-shaped symbols, invented by the Sumerians around 3000 B.C.
Domestication
The taming of animals for human use.
The Main Result of the Domestication of Animals
Humans had an ample supply of animal and plant products without needing to travel.
Slash-and-Burn Farming
A farming method in which people clear fields by cutting and burning trees and grasses, the ashes of which serve to fertilize the soil.
History vs. Prehistory
Prehistory is before the invention of writing; History is a story, a recording / written record of the past.
Identify the Three “Sources of History”
Relics, oral history, and written records
Three Time Periods of Early Mankind
Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age
During which period did writing first make its appearance?
The Bronze Age
Paleolithic Age
2.5 million B.C. to 8000 B.C.; the people were nomadic hunters and used stone tools.
Neolithic Age
8000 B.C. to 3000 B.C.; the Neolithic Revolution happened, population increased, people established settlements, and animals were domesticated.
Components of Culture
Common practices, shared understandings, and social organization.
Australopithecine
1st Humans to walk upright, had opposable thumbs, and Lucy was an example of this (5 million years ago)
Homo Habilis
Means “Man of Skill,” used tools made out of lava rock to cut meat and crack bones (2.3 million years ago)
Homo Erectus
Means “upright man,” more intelligent and adaptable, skillful hunters, first to migrate from Africa, use fire, and develop spoken language (1.9 million years ago)
Neanderthal
Heavy slanted brows, well developed muscles, and thick bones; first to be religious and built shelters (250,000 years ago)
Cro-Magnon
Identical to modern humans, found in Europe, planned hunts and complex projects, were advanced in spoken language, and stalked prey. (45,000 years ago)
Early Advances in Technology
Use of stone, bone, and wood for tools and weapons.
Early Advances of Art
Jewelry, sculptures, and cave paintings
Lascaux Cave
A cave in France filled with Paleolithic era paintings from 15000 B.C.
Catal Huyuk
The archaeological discoveries in present day Turkey at Catal Huyuk have added to our understanding of early village life.
Reasons for the Rise of Civilizations
Resulted from prosperous farming villages, food surpluses, and new technology.
Economic Changes as Civilizations Rose
Irrigation systems, new tools made farming easier, civilizations recognized food surplus, and people developed other skills.
Social Changes as Civilizations Rose
Specialized groups of workers, social classes developed, and religion became more organized.
Ur
An early city in Sumer in modern day Iraq, which flourished in 3000 B.C.
What are the 5 characteristics of a civilization?
Advanced cities, specialized workers, complex institutions, record keeping, and advanced technology.
Why was the development of government necessary in early cities such as Ur?
There was a need for a government that could establish laws.
What is the difference between a village and a city?
A city is a center of trade for a larger area.
What important characteristic did “Lucy” have?
The ability to walk upright.
Drawbacks of Settled Life
Disease spread easily, natural disasters, and roving nomadic clans could invade.
