1. Chapter 1: Before History Mr. Schabo Crestwood High School Rm. 126
A.P. World History
Chapter 1: Before History
Mr. Schabo
Crestwood High School
Rm. 126

2. Learning Objectives
Compare and contrast the hominids Australopithecus and Homo erectus.
Explain the development and migration of Homo sapiens.
Identify economic and social features of human societies during the paleolithic era.
Understand the key elements of paleolithic culture.
Explain the reasons behind the transition to agriculture during the neolithic era.
Discuss the impact that the development of agriculture had upon human society.
Understand the key elements of neolithic culture and the emergence of urban life.

3. Forming the Complex Society
Basic development:
Hunting and foraging
Agriculture
Complex society
Key issue: surplus capital
Major development of first complex societies 3500 B.C.E. – 500 B.C.E.
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Prehistory
What is “history”?
Documentation
Written records
Archaeological discovery
Requisite human presence (or “natural” history)
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5. Development of Hominids
Animals adapt themselves to environment
Hominids adapt environment to themselves
Use of tools
Language
Complex cooperative social structures
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Australopithecus
“The southern ape” – despite name, a hominid
Discovery of skeleton AL-288-1, north of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Nicknamed “Lucy”
3’5”, 55lb., bipedal, brain 500 cc (modern human: cc), limited speech but opposable digit
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Later Hominids
Homo erectus, “upright walking human”
Larger brain capacity (1000 cc), improved tool use, control of fire, ability to communicate complex ideas
Homo sapiens, “consciously thinking human”
Largest brain, esp. frontal regions
Most sophisticated tools and social organization; flexible language
Migrations of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens
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8. Global Migrations of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens
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9. The Natural Environment
By 13,000 B.C.E., Homo sapiens in every inhabitable part of the world
Archaeological finds:
Sophisticated tools
Choppers, scrapers, axes, knives, bows, arrows
Cave and hut-like dwellings
Use of fire, animal skins
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10. The Natural Environment –Continued
Hunted several mammal species to extinction
Climatic change may have accelerated process

11. Relative Social Equality
Nomadic culture precludes accumulation of land-based wealth
Relatively egalitarian existence
More likely determinants of status: age, hunting skill, fertility, personality
Possible gender equality related to food production
Men: protein from hunting
Women: plant gathering
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Big-Game Hunting
Evidence of intelligent coordination of hunting expeditions
Development of weaponry
Animal-skin disguises
Stampeding tactics
Lighting of fires, etc., to drive game into kill zones
Required planning, communication
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13. Paleolithic Settlements
Natufian society
Modern Israel and Jordan
Wild wheat, herding
Jomon society
Japan
Wild buckwheat, fishing
Chinook society
Pacific northwest
Berries, acorns, salmon runs
Groups of 1000 or more
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Neandertal Peoples
Neander valley, western Germany
Flourished in Europe and southwest Asia, 200,000 to 35,000 years ago
Also found in Africa, east Asia
Evidence of spirituality: ritual burial
Inhabited some of the same areas as Homo sapiens
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15. Creativity of Homo sapiens
Constructed flexible languages for communication of complex ideas
Increased variety of tools – stone blades, spear throwers, sewing needles, barbed harpoons
Fabricated ornamental beads, necklaces and bracelets
The bow and arrow – a dramatic improvement in humans’ power over nature
“Venus” figurines
Cave paintings
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16. Neolithic Era (“New Stone Age”)
Distinction in tool production
Chipped vs. polished
Relied on cultivation for subsistence
Men: herding animals rather than hunting
Women: nurturing vegetation rather than foraging
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17. Neolithic Era Continued
Spread of agriculture
Slash-and-burn techniques
Exhaustion of soil promotes migration
Transport of crops from one region to another
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18. Origins and Early Spread of Agriculture
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19. Agriculture and Population Growth
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20. Early Agricultural Society
Emergence of villages and towns
Discoveries at Çatal Hüyük – a prominent village located in Turkey, occupied B.C.E.
Pots, baskets, textiles, leather, stone, metal tools, wood carvings, carpets, beads, and jewelry
Development of crafts – pottery, metallurgy, and textile production
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Social Distinctions
Accumulation of landed wealth initiates development of social classes
Individuals could trade surplus food for valuable items
Archaeological evidence in variety of household decorations, goods buried with deceased members of society at Çatal Hüyük
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Neolithic Culture
Farmers closely observed the natural world – an early kind of applied science
Elements of natural environment essential for functioning
Archaeological evidence of religious worship: thousands of clay figurines, drawings on pots, tool decorations, other ritual objects
Fertility: Venus figurines
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23. The Origins of Urban Life
Craft specialization
Social stratification
Governance
Cultural workers
Development of the city – a gradual process
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