The Dawn of History and the Beginning of Civilization

Old Stone Age/Paleolithic Age Earliest people thought to live in East Africa Lived in small hunting groups (20-30) They were nomads Evidence of religion and art left 30,000 years ago. 1974 Donald Johanson found “Lucy” in Ethiopia. France Spain and northern Africa: cave paintings. Burial of dead suggests belief in afterlife.

c. 15,000-12,000 BC bison length 77 in. (195 cm) Altamira, Spain

New Stone Age/ Neolithic Age 11,000 years ago Planted seeds/farmed Domesticated animals Increased population More possessions. Created new technologies Eventually led to Civilizations. Not sure where started: middle east then spread.

Features of Civilization 1.) cities 2.) well-organized central governments 3.) complex religion 4.) job specialization 5.) social classes 6.) arts and architecture 7.) public works 8.) writing

River Valley Civilizations Tigris and Euphrates Nile River Indus River Yellow River Huang He

Bureaucracy A system of running the government through departments run by appointed officials.

The belief in more than one god. Polytheistic The belief in more than one god.

Artisans Skilled craft workers, who made pottery or finely carved or woven goods.

Pictograms Simple drawings to show the words represented.

Scribes Specially trained people who learned to read or write.

City-State A political unit that included a city and its surrounding lands and villages.

Empire Group of states or territories controlled by one ruler.