2. Prehistory Hunting and gathering societies dominated human history until 9000 B.C.E.Hunting and gathering societies dominated human history until 9000 B.C.E. These people helped propel migration over most of the lands on earth.These people helped propel migration over most of the lands on earth.

3. Human Life Before Agriculture The nature of the human species gradually changed during the Paleolithic (Old Stone) Age.The nature of the human species gradually changed during the Paleolithic (Old Stone) Age. Homo erectus: A less apelike species whose larger brain, erect stance, and opposable thumbs emerged btwn. 500,000 and 750,000 years ago.Homo erectus: A less apelike species whose larger brain, erect stance, and opposable thumbs emerged btwn. 500,000 and 750,000 years ago. More advanced humans killed off competitors over time, and the newest human breed Homo sapiens originated c. 240,000 years ago in Africa.More advanced humans killed off competitors over time, and the newest human breed Homo sapiens originated c. 240,000 years ago in Africa. All humans in the world today are descendents of homo sapiens…….. Except Sasquatch, maybe.All humans in the world today are descendents of homo sapiens…….. Except Sasquatch, maybe.

4. Human Life Before Agriculture The greatest achievement of Paleolithic people was spreading the human species.The greatest achievement of Paleolithic people was spreading the human species. Mesolithic ppl. Domesticated cows, improving food supply.Mesolithic ppl. Domesticated cows, improving food supply. Neolithic ppl. Invented agriculture, and built the 1 st cities, foreshadowing civilization.Neolithic ppl. Invented agriculture, and built the 1 st cities, foreshadowing civilization. The invention of agriculture and the discover of metal tools (Bronze Age, 4000 B.C.E.), moved the human species toward civilization.The invention of agriculture and the discover of metal tools (Bronze Age, 4000 B.C.E.), moved the human species toward civilization. With agriculture, humans were able to settle in one spot and focus on particular economic, political, and religious goals and activities.With agriculture, humans were able to settle in one spot and focus on particular economic, political, and religious goals and activities.

5. Indo-European Migrations: 4m-2m BCE The Middle East: “The Crossroads of Three Continents”

7. The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”

8. Civilization The word civilization comes from the Latin word for city.The word civilization comes from the Latin word for city. The first civilizations formed in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus River basin, China, and Central America.The first civilizations formed in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus River basin, China, and Central America. The very 1 st arose in the Middle East along the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.The very 1 st arose in the Middle East along the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Mesopotamian civilization is one of only a few cases of a civilization developed completely from scratch, with no examples to imitate (& China, Olmecs).Mesopotamian civilization is one of only a few cases of a civilization developed completely from scratch, with no examples to imitate (& China, Olmecs).

9. Sumerians 1 st Mesopotamian Civ. 3500 B.C.E.1 st Mesopotamian Civ. 3500 B.C.E. Developed cuneiform alphabet, 1 st known case of human writing. Scribes wrote on clay tablets.Developed cuneiform alphabet, 1 st known case of human writing. Scribes wrote on clay tablets. Devised syst. of #s based on units of 10, 60, and 360 that we still use in calculating circles and hours.Devised syst. of #s based on units of 10, 60, and 360 that we still use in calculating circles and hours.

10. Sumerians Ziggurats: 1 st monumental architecture. Each cit had one, devoted to patron god.Ziggurats: 1 st monumental architecture. Each cit had one, devoted to patron god. Sumerians polit. structures were organized around city states, led by king.Sumerians polit. structures were organized around city states, led by king. Govt. regulated religion, provided a court system, and kings were military leaders.Govt. regulated religion, provided a court system, and kings were military leaders. Land was worked by slaves, beginning long tradition of slavery.Land was worked by slaves, beginning long tradition of slavery.

11. Sumerians

12. Cuneiform: “Wedge-Shaped” Writing

13. Cuneiform Writing

14. Deciphering Cuneiform

15. The Importance of Writing Most civilizations developed writing. Societies that employ writing can organize more elaborate political structures, b/c it allows them to send messages and keep records.Most civilizations developed writing. Societies that employ writing can organize more elaborate political structures, b/c it allows them to send messages and keep records. With writing, they could tax more efficiently, and make contracts and treaties.With writing, they could tax more efficiently, and make contracts and treaties. Societies with writing can generate a more intellectual climate b/c of their ability to record data and build on past, written wisdom.Societies with writing can generate a more intellectual climate b/c of their ability to record data and build on past, written wisdom. Becoming literate changes the way people think, encouraging them to consider the world as a place that can be understood rationally.Becoming literate changes the way people think, encouraging them to consider the world as a place that can be understood rationally.

16. Sumerian Religion – Polytheistic Government-Theocracy Sumerian Religion – Polytheistic Government-Theocracy

17. Gilgamesh

18. Gilgamesh Epic Tablet: Flood Story

19. Ziggurat at Ur  Temple  “Mountain of the Gods”  Temple  “Mountain of the Gods”

20. Mesopotamian Harp

21. Board Game From Ur

22. Akkadians, Babylonians, & Beyond Sumerians fell to the Akkadians, who contd. Much of Sumerian culture.Sumerians fell to the Akkadians, who contd. Much of Sumerian culture. Another period of decline was followed by the Babylonian conquest.Another period of decline was followed by the Babylonian conquest. The Akkadians and Babylonians spread civilization to other parts of the Mid. East. through conquest.The Akkadians and Babylonians spread civilization to other parts of the Mid. East. through conquest. Under the Babylonian rule of king Hammurabi, the 1 st codified system of law was introduced.Under the Babylonian rule of king Hammurabi, the 1 st codified system of law was introduced. By 2100 B.C.E. invasions by Semitic peopes from the south brought Semitic language to the region.By 2100 B.C.E. invasions by Semitic peopes from the south brought Semitic language to the region. Btwn. 1200 and 900 B.C.E. the Assyrians and then the Persians created large empires in the Mid East.Btwn. 1200 and 900 B.C.E. the Assyrians and then the Persians created large empires in the Mid East.

23. Sargon of Akkad: The World’s First Empire [Akkadians]

24. The Babylonian Empires

25. Hammurabi’s [r. 1792-1750 B. C. E.] Code

26. Hammurabi, Theocracy

27. Babylonian Numbers

28. Babylonian Math

29. Works Cited Adas, M., Gilbert, M.J., Schwartz, S.B., & Stearns, P.N. (2007). World civilizations: The global experience. (5 th ed.). New York: Pearson Education.Adas, M., Gilbert, M.J., Schwartz, S.B., & Stearns, P.N. (2007). World civilizations: The global experience. (5 th ed.). New York: Pearson Education. Images from Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY, http://www.pptpalooza.net/.Images from Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY, http://www.pptpalooza.net/. http://www.pptpalooza.net/