Please copy these notes in your spiral notebook 6th Grade MEAP Review Please copy these notes in your spiral notebook

Beginnings of Human Society The first people to reach America migrated from Asia.       It is believed that the first people came to the Western Hemisphere across a land bridge.  This bridge is known as Beringia.

Beginnings of Human Society The people who crossed the Beringia did so between 10,000 and 25,000 years ago. They were hunter gatherers following animal herds.  The herds moved across the bridge to North America, and the people followed because animals were their food source. 

Beginnings of Human Society Before the invention of agriculture, early humans would hunt and gather as a main source of food.  As agriculture developed, people started to settle in one place since they had a more stable food supply.

Beginnings of Human Society Agriculture first appeared around 8000 B.C. It developed independently in different parts of the world at different times. Corn was one of the first crops to be grown by people in the Western Hemisphere. There is evidence that corn was first grown around 5000 B.C. in Central America.

Beginnings of Human Society The development of agriculture led to more reliable sources of food than hunting and gathering offered.  By growing crops and raising animals, people were able to establish permanent settlements and develop civilizations.

Beginnings of Human Society Domestication of animals allowed people to breed animals instead of hunting them. People could either use the animals for food, or they could use them to plow fields or carry heavy burdens. 

Beginnings of Human Society Many early people used slash and burn techniques to clear areas of forest to make farmland. The slash and burn technique consists of using fire in a controlled way. This technique clears new land that is fresh and ready for crops.

Beginnings of Human Society Irrigation made it possible for people to grow crops even in dry areas. The southwestern part of the United States is one area where there is little rainfall and people relied on irrigation to grow crops.

Beginnings of Human Society Rise of Civilizations - Summary Unlike nomadic tribes, civilizations settled in a single place and did not move. The development of agriculture led to surpluses of food. Food surpluses allowed populations to grow as well as helped create a division of labor since fewer people were needed to help find food. A division of labor allowed people to turn to other types of jobs and many developed specific crafts. Because early civilizations relied on agriculture as their main source of food, they needed access to a large water supply. For this reason, early civilizations typically started near rivers, lakes, or other large bodies of water.