1. Aim: How did Early Peoples and River Civilization develop?
HRAS Lesson 4
Aim: How did Early Peoples and River Civilization develop?
Reviewing Global History and Geography- Unit 1 Section 1

2. Key People and Vocabulary
Nomads
Fertile Crescent
Cultural Diffusion
Ziggurats
Neolithic
Cuneiform
Technology
Empire
Civilization
Code of Hammurabi
Polytheistic
Middle Kingdom
Pharaoh
Dynasty

3. Early Peoples
The first peoples lived more than 2 million years ago during the period known as Prehistoric Times or Prehistory which means the “Time before people invented writing”

4. Hunters and Gathers
During the “Old Stone Age” also known as the “Paleolithic Age” people were known as Nomads which meant people who moved from place to place hunting and gathering their own food.
Nomads made their own tools and weapons and traveled in small groups. They were the first people to make clothing and fire. They were Polytheistic and were the first people to bury the dead.

5. Origins of Man
The earliest people live in East Africa. These people were able to migrate all over the world. First to Europe and Asia and then to the America’s across a land Bridge.
This migration led to Cultural Diffusion or the exchange of ideas, customs, and goods among different cultures.

6. The Neolithic Revolution
As the planet grew warmer life changed and plants began growing in areas where ice covered the landscape. This became know as the “New Stone Age”
Around 10,000 BC people learned to plant seeds for food and domesticate animals. Historians refer to this period as the “Neolithic Revolution” or the “Agricultural Revolution”.

7. Change for Humans People lived together in permanent settlements.
When resources lessened groups went to war and men distinguished themselves as leaders and warriors.
New technology was developed such as calendars and plows. The wheel, metal weapons and metal tools were also invented.

8. Rise of Civilizations
Around 5,000 years ago the first civilizations developed around River Valleys. All civilizations had the following
Cities
Central Government
Traditional Economies
Organized Religions
Social Classes
Arts and Architecture
Roads and bridges
Writing

9. Egypt The earliest civilization which developed about 5,000 years ago.
Egypt is mostly desert, so people settled along the Nile River. The river provided water for drinking and irrigation for crops. Yearly flooding soaked the land and left deposits of Silt that kept the land fertile. The river was also used for travel.

11. Egypt’s Religion Polytheistic- believed in many Gods
Chief God is the sun God Amon-Re
Osiris is the God the Nile River
Believed in life after death
Built Pyramids for the Pharaoh’s
Prepared the dead for the afterlife using mummification

12. Egypt’s Government Pharaoh’s ruled the land
Considered to be both God and King.
Laid to rest in pyramids which took years to build.
When buried in pyramids the Pharaoh was surrounded by their possessions.
Power would pass to other family members of the Pharaoh thus forming dynasties.

13. Egypt’s Social Structure
Egyptian society was divided into classes:
Pharaohs held highest position
Priests served the Gods and Goddesses
The Nobles who fought the wars
Craftspeople and Merchants
The Peasant Farmers this was largest group
Slaves
Women held a high status they could own property, enter business deals, and obtain a divorce.

14. Egyptian Contributions
Mummification
Medical Diagnosis
Surgery
Calendars
Hieroglyphics
Pyramids
Military fighting
Ceremonies to honor rulers
Statues and Paintings

19. Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia was located to the north and east of Egypt. This area was known as the Fertile Crescent because the area is crescent shaped and had good farm land due to the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Fertile Crescent means “the cradle of civilization”.
Mesopotamia means “land between the rivers”.

21. The Civilizations of the Fertile Crescent
Sumerians
Developed 5,000 years ago
Polytheistic
Built pyramid like structures called ziggurats
Built irrigation systems, dikes, and canals
Traded with Egypt and India
Made first wheeled vehicles
First metal plow, 12 month calendar, the first number system which became the basis for clocks
Developed writing style Cuneiform

24. Babylonians developed the first empire or groups of states or territories controlled by one ruler.
Hammurabi was the first ruler
Developed set of laws called the Code of Hammurabi
Standards of justice developed for all. Punishment was harsh and stressed the idea “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

25. Indus River Valley
Indian civilization developed along the Indus Valley
Not much is known about this civilization but remains of great cities have been found.
Developed about 2,500 years ago.
Roads were developed in a grid pattern (just like Manhattan today).
Most people were farmers.
In 1500 B.C. nomadic warriors called Aryans conquered the Indus Valley and wiped out the civilization.

27. Ancient China
Developed in the river valleys of the Huang He or Yellow River and the Yangzi River.
Mountains, deserts, jungles, and the ocean isolated China more so than any other civilization
Believed their culture was the center of the world. They called their civilization the “Middle Kingdom”

28. Government of China Developed dynasties of ruling families
Clans or groups of people controlled local areas.
The Shang Dynasty was the first ruling family in 1650 BC
Were polytheistic and believed in two forces controlling the universe. Known as the Yin and the Yang.

29. Social Structure and Contributions
Resembled other civilizations with Gods and Rulers at the top followed by
Noble land owners
Merchants and Crafts people
Peasant farmers
Written Chinese developed 4,000 years ago, only the upper classes would read and write.