1. Geography and History Ancient Chapter 1, Section 1

2. The Iceman of the Alps In 1991, two hikers discovered the Iceman’s body in a mountain pass in the Alps, on the Italian- Austrian border in Europe. Scientists studied the thousands-old body and his possessions. – Provided clues about his life and death Scientists determined the Iceman lived about 5,000 years ago in 3,000 B.C. – His clothes were made of finely stitched animal skins. Probably came from a community with people skilled in sewing

3. The Iceman of the Alps

4. Otzi’s discovery Otzi’s body The Iceman of the Alps

5. The most important clue about the Iceman’s life was his copper ax. Copper was the first metal used by Europeans, beginning about 4,000 B.C. – There was no doubt the Iceman lived after people had learned to use copper. Ten years after the discovery of the Iceman, scientists discovered an important clue to the story of the Iceman’s death. – found an arrowhead lodged in his chest – previously thought he had fallen asleep and froze to death Scientists now believe the Iceman died from being shot by an arrow.

6. Otzi’s copper ax Arrowhead The Iceman of the Alps

7. Understanding History About 5,000 years ago, people from southwest Asia and Africa developed systems of writing. – They began to keep records of their experiences. That was the beginning of history  recorded events of people Prehistory  before history – This was the period of time in the past before writing was invented. How can we learn about the people who lived before written history?

8. Prehistory: Digging Up the Past To learn about life in prehistoric times, scientists must rely on clues other than written records. Archaeologists  examine objects to learn about past people and cultures – They sift through the dirt of prehistoric camps to find bones, tools, and other objects. These objects may tell them something about the people who lived there.

9. History: A Record in Writing Historians do not have to rely on the objects discovered by archaeologists to learn about the past. They study the written record of human life and accomplishments to understand a society – wars, religion, rulers, etc. Historians also look at what other groups living at the same time wrote about that society.

10. Oral Traditions: A Record in the Spoken Word The written records historians often studied often began as oral traditions  stories passed down by word of mouth. – Can tell family history, stories about heroes or events in the past Not all oral stories are historically accurate. – Myths and legends mix facts with beliefs and exaggerations about heroes. – Still, oral traditions tell about how a society lived and what the people considered important.

11. Linking Geography with History Knowing the connection between geography and history is often the key to understanding why events happened. Ancient Egyptian example: – They were a successful civilization because they built on the banks of the great Nile River. Each year, the Nile flooded, depositing rich black soil on its banks. – This assisted farmers who could grow enough to feed the large population. – Everyone did not have to farm and could do other things to develop the civilization. – Without the Nile flooding, Egyptian civilization would not have become so successful.

12. Ancient Egypt

13. The Iceman of the Alps Otzi, the Iceman