Part 2 - Climate change and human civilisation Flashcards
When did agriculture properly begin?
At the beginning of the Holocene around 60,000 years ago.
Why was agriculture more beneficial to homo sapiens than hunter-gathering?
Produces more food and requires less people; this gave people more time to e.g. think, invent wheel, written language etc.
When and where did agriculture first develop?
8000 BC at Fertile Crescent (Middle East).
Did agricultural knowledge develop in one place and spread across the world?
No; different places developed agriculture independently at different times.
Why did agriculture start in the early Holocene?
Wetter, warmer and more stable climate made it possible. Was required due to population increases.
Why was the glacial period before the Holocene inappropriate for agriculture?
Too cold, not enough precipitation.
When and where was there a mutation that allowed people to tolerate lactose?
4300 years ago in Europe.
Why was a mutation to digest lactose advantageous?
Milk provides nutrients, particularly vitamin D, which people living in darker places lack (less sunlight). Also helped provide calories for people during cold climates when harvests were poor.
When and where did the first cities develop?
In modern day Iraq 6000 years ago.
What does civilisation ‘collapse’ refer to?
Refers to a civilisation not being as successful as it previously was.
What has historically causes civilisation collapses in e.g. Turkey, Syria and Egypt?
Drought.
What partly caused the late Bronze Age collapse?
Invasion of “sea people” to Egypt.
What was climate like during Roman prosperity?
Wet and warm.
What did the demise of the western Roman Empire coincide with?
Increased climate variability.
How can tree rings be used to identify climates from thousands of years ago or more?
Trees that have been preserved in bogs are used.
