Early Man & the Rise of Civilization Flashcards
What was the Paleolithic Age?
the “Old Stone Age”
What are the characteristics of the Paleolithic Age?
The people were nomadic, hunter-gatherers with no permanent homes; few possessions; no writing; no to little articultural development; no agriculture; fire=MVP
What invention marks the beginning of the Neolithic Age?
agriculture
Describe the Neolithic Age
Permanent homes; food producers; increased inventions; the “new stone age”
How many years ago did people start farming?
6,000 years ago
Did everyone enter the Neolithic Age at the same time?
No, because different people entered at different times depending on the development of agriculture
What is job specialization?
Different people doing different things for a living; division of labor
What is the barter system
Trading goods for services/goods
coined money = _____________
centralized government (because the government coins the money)
What is the difference between subsistence and surplus agriculture?
Subsistence: everybody does it because no one is very good at it (no surplus)
Surplus: When people had a surplus (invention increased), grew enough food that there was some left over
Why did early agricultural communities grow up in river valleys?
infrastructure
fertile soild
irrigation - not dependent on rainfall
Know the chain of events that take you from a nomadic hunting and gathering society to a “civilization” that includes writing
subsistence agriculture – leisure time – surplus agriculture – job specialization – barter system – broadened economic base – writing
What was the impact of the wheel?
increased...
travel
trade
cultural contact
longevity (length of life)
producitivyWhat is a cultural diffuser?
someone or something that spreads culture
ex: Alexander the Great
radio, TV, internet
Juliusca
What is a cultural linker?
Someone or something that preserves the past for future generations
ex: library, volcano, history book, museum, Will Durant, artifact
