Unit I: Intro to World History and Foundations (8000BCE-600AD) History of the World in 7 Minutes History of the World in 7 Minutes General Overview Human Origins First Migrations Hunter-Forager Societies

The Human Arrival Human like creatures emerged on the earth’s surface approximately 3 to 4 millions year ago Human like creatures emerged on the earth’s surface approximately 3 to 4 millions year ago Modern humans developed between 100,000 and 250,000 years ago Modern humans developed between 100,000 and 250,000 years ago The period from approximately 2.5 millions years ago to 5,000 years ago is known as the Stone Age The period from approximately 2.5 millions years ago to 5,000 years ago is known as the Stone Age During that time human communities took shape but remained primitiveDuring that time human communities took shape but remained primitive After around 10,000 years ago, human societies gradually became more advanced After around 10,000 years ago, human societies gradually became more advanced People learned to domesticate plants and animalsPeople learned to domesticate plants and animals They practiced agriculture, invented systems of recordkeeping, made metal, traded goods and developed systems of social and political organizationThey practiced agriculture, invented systems of recordkeeping, made metal, traded goods and developed systems of social and political organization

Earliest “Civilized” Societies Civilizations appeared between 3500 and 2000 BCE Civilizations appeared between 3500 and 2000 BCE All four appeared along banks of major river systems: All four appeared along banks of major river systems: Sumerian-Babylonian civilization in MesopotamiaSumerian-Babylonian civilization in MesopotamiaSumerian-Babylonian civilization in MesopotamiaSumerian-Babylonian civilization in Mesopotamia EgyptEgyptEgypt Indus River ValleyIndus River ValleyIndus River ValleyIndus River Valley Early ChinaEarly ChinaEarly ChinaEarly China Olmec in Central America (1200 BCE) and Chavin appeared in the Andes after 900 BCE Olmec in Central America (1200 BCE) and Chavin appeared in the Andes after 900 BCE Olmec Soon after civilizations will emerge throughout Africa, Asia, North America and Europe Soon after civilizations will emerge throughout Africa, Asia, North America and Europe

Human Origins & Migrations First human-like creatures emerged in East Africa 3-4 million years ago First human-like creatures emerged in East Africa 3-4 million years ago First human-like creatures emerged in East Africa 3-4 million years ago First human-like creatures emerged in East Africa 3-4 million years ago Homo sapiens emerged 2-3 million years ago Homo sapiens emerged 2-3 million years ago Hard to determine line between Homo sapiens and Neandarthals Hard to determine line between Homo sapiens and Neandarthals “Out of Africa” thesis: Homo sapiens evolved and then migrated 150,000 years ago “Out of Africa” thesis: Homo sapiens evolved and then migrated 150,000 years ago Other theses are mixed: modern humans evolved from “Homo” groups and migrated Other theses are mixed: modern humans evolved from “Homo” groups and migrated Thus appearing independently of one another years and years laterThus appearing independently of one another years and years laterThus appearing independently of one another years and years laterThus appearing independently of one another years and years later Time Frame: Time Frame: Middle East: 100,000 years agoMiddle East: 100,000 years ago India & SE Asia: 70,000 years agoIndia & SE Asia: 70,000 years ago China: 67,000 years agoChina: 67,000 years ago Oceania: 50,000 years agoOceania: 50,000 years ago Europe and C. Asia: 40,000 years agoEurope and C. Asia: 40,000 years ago Eurasia Land Bridge (debated): 15,000 years agoEurasia Land Bridge (debated): 15,000 years ago Most of the globe was inhabited by 8,000 BCEMost of the globe was inhabited by 8,000 BCE

Hunter-Forager Societies Earliest humans made tools out of available material: wood, bone, animal skins, sinews and stone Earliest humans made tools out of available material: wood, bone, animal skins, sinews and stone Stone Age (2.5 million to 5-6,000 years ago) is broken into two periods: Stone Age (2.5 million to 5-6,000 years ago) is broken into two periods: Paleolithic (early Stone Age) ended about 12,000 BCEPaleolithic (early Stone Age) ended about 12,000 BCE Mesolithic (transitional period from about 12,000 to 10,000 years ago)Mesolithic (transitional period from about 12,000 to 10,000 years ago) Neolithic (New Stone Age) began around 8,000 BCENeolithic (New Stone Age) began around 8,000 BCE Stone Age humans lived in natural dwellings (caves, canyons) but also built huts, tents or structures from wood & bone Stone Age humans lived in natural dwellings (caves, canyons) but also built huts, tents or structures from wood & bone Used heat to cook food and live in colder climates Used heat to cook food and live in colder climates

Stone Age Tools Greatest concerns of humans during Stone Age was to ensure plentiful food supply, manufacture appropriate clothing for climate and provide adequate shelter Greatest concerns of humans during Stone Age was to ensure plentiful food supply, manufacture appropriate clothing for climate and provide adequate shelter Tools reflected these desiresTools reflected these desires Multipurpose tools were designed (axes, knives)Multipurpose tools were designed (axes, knives) Bow and arrow may have appeared during late Paleolithic periodBow and arrow may have appeared during late Paleolithic period Clay pots used for cooking as far back as 12,500 years agoClay pots used for cooking as far back as 12,500 years ago

Social Structures Chieftains or Elders formed Councils or positions of leadership but society was relatively free of hierarchy Chieftains or Elders formed Councils or positions of leadership but society was relatively free of hierarchy Extended families clustered together, forming clans and then later tribes Extended families clustered together, forming clans and then later tribes Earliest humans survived by hunting and foraging, very nomadic Earliest humans survived by hunting and foraging, very nomadic Most members of hunter societies has similar skills and ownership of land was unheard of Most members of hunter societies has similar skills and ownership of land was unheard of Not much distinction between ‘rich’ and ‘poor’ Not much distinction between ‘rich’ and ‘poor’ Cave paintings date back 32,000 years ago and a flute-like instrument was found dating 30,000 years ago Cave paintings date back 32,000 years ago and a flute-like instrument was found dating 30,000 years ago Division of Labor did exist, but uncertain if it was based on notion of superiority: Division of Labor did exist, but uncertain if it was based on notion of superiority: Men: hunted, fought, did heavy laborMen: hunted, fought, did heavy labor Women: foraged, prepared meals, tended to childrenWomen: foraged, prepared meals, tended to children

Questions and Comparisons to Consider What roles do geography, climate, and environment play in shaping human societies? How have different societies affected their environments? What roles do geography, climate, and environment play in shaping human societies? How have different societies affected their environments? What features make society “primitive” or “civilized”? What features make society “primitive” or “civilized”? How did the appearance of cities affect the development of ancient societies? How did the appearance of cities affect the development of ancient societies? What is the importance of cultural interaction and diffusion versus that of independent innovation in changing societies technologically, scientifically or culturally? What is the importance of cultural interaction and diffusion versus that of independent innovation in changing societies technologically, scientifically or culturally? How have different societies organized themselves economically? What rolde did trade play in the prehistoric and ancient world? Describe the characteristics of interregional trade networks (between Egypt and Nubia, for example, or between Mesopotamia and Indus Valley) How have different societies organized themselves economically? What rolde did trade play in the prehistoric and ancient world? Describe the characteristics of interregional trade networks (between Egypt and Nubia, for example, or between Mesopotamia and Indus Valley)