Inquiry 1 Sedentarization

Homework for Term 1  Page 6 # 3 & 4  Page 11 # 1-4 (skip last statement)  Page 12 # 5 & 7  Page 13 # 12  Page 15 # 1  Page 16 # 2, 3, 4 & 5  Page 19 # 2  Page 20 # 3  Page 21 # 7 & 9

Fertile Crescent: Sedentary people first began building permanent villages around BC. These lands were fertile*. *This meant the soil was good to grow crops (vegetation).

Agriculture (farming) was born! Humans had developed the techniques to cultivate* plants. *Cultivate means to prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops.

Palaeolithic people: (People of the Stone Age)  They constantly searched for food. This made them predators!  They were forced to follow the migration (movement) of animals and could not build permanent shelter (houses). This made them nomads!  Nomads relocated once they ran out of food. This meant they had to move to a different location.

They lived in small groups (10-30 people). Survival depended on successful hunting (men) and gathering (women).

From nomadic to sedentary life: (From constantly moving around to settling down): Around 8,000 BC humans began to cultivate plants. How did they discover these agricultural (farming) techniques?

Humans observed that new plants grew where the seeds were left on the ground.

Nomads followed migration of animals

Humans invented tools in order to perform certain tasks in agriculture. Such tools included: hoe, sickle, grinder and rubbing stone.

How Were Neolithic Villages Organized? Land Development: Farmers settled near fields to grow crops. Villages were protected by high walls. Villages held people. Ex: Village of Catal Huyuk around 6,000 BC.

Village of Catal The village of Catal Huyuk is located in Turkey.

 One of the world’s oldest villages  Approx people  Square or rectangular houses  Attached houses  No streets  Painted frescos (drawings) decorated interior walls  Used ladders  Houses made from sun- dried bricks  Livestock kept near homes in an enclosed area

Neolithic people produced many sculptures of plump women (i.e. Mother Goddess). Women were valued because they bore children.

 Villagers started claiming and owning land because fertile land became valuable.

What is a skilled trade (job)?  Skilled trade – A job that is carried out by someone who can do something well; technique, ability.  Skills are perfected by lots of practice or usually learned in school.

Population Increase: Crops and livestock (farm animals) ensured food on the table. Families grew in numbers because of this.

Social Division of Labour: Men and women performed different tasks. The types of jobs given to people were based on their talents and abilities. Ex: Mining, basketry, pottery, weaving and metallurgy.

Specialized skills led to new social groups; such as soldiers, miners, and artisans. Artisans (craftsmen) also known as trades-people. Why? Once they made it, they could trade it! They made bricks, containers, baskets, tools and fabrics.

Trade: It was common to trade vegetables for tools! Food surpluses (extra food) led to trade within the village itself and between different regions.

Commercial Trade: Merchants travelled hundreds of km to trade with other regions. Bartered (trade) objects for other objects.

Political power: We needed to be well-organized and have strong leadership to clear land, irrigate fields, harvest crops, etc. Neolithic villages were politically organized.

Two types of village models A single leader, advised by his close family He controlled the village; coordinated all work

2 nd Model: Village Council: The heads of each family (men), held meetings to make important decisions on behalf of the village.

Emergence of Social Hierarchy:  Some jobs required special skills.  Skilled jobs were highly valued.  Having villagers who mastered these skills was important because they knew how to perform a specific service or task well.  Skilled workers had more power than peasants.