Prehistory: Beginning of Farming Coach Parrish Chapter 1, Section 2 Oxford Middle School

Earliest Human Culture Stone Age – time period during which early humans made lasting tools and weapons mainly from stone. Stone Age – time period during which early humans made lasting tools and weapons mainly from stone. Sometimes, tools and weapons were made from wood or animal bones. Sometimes, tools and weapons were made from wood or animal bones. The Stone Age ended when people began using metal such as copper for tools and weapons. The Stone Age ended when people began using metal such as copper for tools and weapons.

Fire! Why was fire important? Why was fire important? 1. Allowed people to move into colder climates 2. Warded off dangerous animals 3. Used for cooking foods and for staying warm

Settling New Areas Once humans had better tools and fire, they began to leave their homes. Once humans had better tools and fire, they began to leave their homes. Nomads – people who have no settled home. Nomads – people who have no settled home. Nomads moved until they found food. Once the food was gone, they moved on. Nomads moved until they found food. Once the food was gone, they moved on.

The Beginning of Farming Farming began when people in Southwest Asia learned how to plant wild grass seed and other vegetables. Farming began when people in Southwest Asia learned how to plant wild grass seed and other vegetables. Farming caused people to enter the New Stone Age. Farming caused people to enter the New Stone Age. New Stone Age – when people began growing their own food. New Stone Age – when people began growing their own food.

Spread of Agriculture

Early Farmers In most societies, women were responsible for gathering plants and seed. In most societies, women were responsible for gathering plants and seed. Men were responsible for the hunting. Men were responsible for the hunting. Farming caused the nomadic way of life to end. Farming caused the nomadic way of life to end.

Farming Around the World Fertile – rich in the substances that plants need to grow. Fertile – rich in the substances that plants need to grow. Who planted what first? Who planted what first? 1. Chinese farmers – first to plant rice. 2. Central American farmers – first to grow corn, beans, and squash.

Terrace Farming

Plant Selection Plants looked very differently than they do now. Plants looked very differently than they do now. People chose the biggest, best-tasting crops to plant. In doing so, they began to domesticate plants. People chose the biggest, best-tasting crops to plant. In doing so, they began to domesticate plants. Domesticate – adapt wild plants for human use. Domesticate – adapt wild plants for human use.

Raising Animals During the New Stone Age, people began to tame or domesticate wild animals. During the New Stone Age, people began to tame or domesticate wild animals. Dogs were the first animal to be domesticated. Eventually camels, horses, and donkeys were tamed to transport goods. Dogs were the first animal to be domesticated. Eventually camels, horses, and donkeys were tamed to transport goods.

Camels Used for Transport

Challenge of Domestication Throughout history, many types of animals have failed to be domesticated. Most large species have never been tamed. WHY?? Throughout history, many types of animals have failed to be domesticated. Most large species have never been tamed. WHY?? Some exceptions: Some exceptions: 1. India – tamed elephants for battle 2. Assyrians and Egyptians – tamed cheetahs for hunting

Indian elephants in battle