1. The Beginning of History

2. The Concept of History What does history deal with? When does it begin?

3. What Mankind, human societies, civilizations Developments in time Causes, consequences, decisions, conflicts, events, individuals Different from: anthropology, ethnology, archeology

4. When History: appearance of first written documents Pre-history: begins with appearance of „Homo Sapiens Sapiens“ around 40.000 years ago, evidence: archeological findings How do we identify Homo Sapiens Sapiens?

5. Evolution First „Hominids“: 3 mio. years ago, upright walking, use of tools Homo Sapiens: about 200.000 years ago (after Homo Erectus), use of fire, early language skills, development esp. of frontal parts of brain, production of shelters, „clothes“

6. Paleolithicum Transition to Homo Sapiens Sapiens Still: not history Developments of culture and arts Society: gatherers and hunters, social and gender equality, small groups Early settlements: e.g. Natufian and Chinook societies 45.000-35.000 years ago: parallel existence of Neandertals Further developments: sculpturing (25.000 years ago), bow and arrow (10.000 years ago), cave paintings (Altamira, Spain)

7. Sculptures

8. Cave Paintings

9. Neolithicum Agricultural Revolution Earliest agricultural societies: SW Asia (9000 BC), Sudan (7000 BC), 6500 BC: cultivation of rice (China) „Slash and burn“ cultivation, rapidly spread Development of trade: spread of different foods

10. Consequences Increase of worldwide human population Emergence of settlements (8000 BC: Jericho) Specialisation of labour (pottery, metallurgy, textile) Social diversification (accumulation of wealth) Emergence of cities and towns: 4000 BC, Mesopotamia