Rise of Civilizations(pre-AP world history grade 9)

vocab, people, eras, (terms)

prehistory

long period of time before people invented writing

historian

experts in the study of how people lived in the historical past

artifact

objects made by humans;clothing, coins, artwork, gravesites, etc.

anthropology

study of humans past and present

culture

the way of life of a society, which includes its beliefs, values, and practices

archeology

the study of past people and cultures through their material remains

Olduvai Gorge

a deep canyon in Tanzania

technology

The skill and tools people use to meet their basic needs and wants

Mary Leakey

(1913-1996) Born in London, England, Mary Leakey traveled throughout Europe visiting numerous prehistoric sites, which increased her interest in archaeology and geology. She married Louis Leakey in 1936, and they spent 30 years digging for early humans in East Africa. Mary Leakey eventually found many remains that have increased our understanding of early hominids.

Louis Leakey

(1903-1972) As an archaeologist, Louis Leakey, and his wife, Mary, searched for the remains of early humans in East Africa, finding many tools and bones that increased our understanding of early humans.

Old Stone Age

the era of prehistory that lasted from 2 million B.C. to about 9000 B.C.

Paleolithic Period

the era of prehistory that lasted from at least 2 million B.C. to about 9000 B.C.

New Stone Age

the final age of prehistory, which began about 9000 B.C.

Neolithic Period

The final era of prehistory, which began about 9000 B.C.

nomad

person who moves from place to place in search of food

animism

the belief that spirits and forces live within animals, objects, or dreams

neolithic revolution

the period of time during which the introduction of agriculture led people to transition from nomadic to settled life

domesticate

to tame animals and adapt crops so they are best suited to use by humans

Catal Huyuk

one of the world's first villages, established in modern-day Turkey around 7000 B.C.

Jericho

the world's first village, established in the modern day West Bank between 10,000 and 9000 B.C.

surplus

an amount that is more than needed

civilization

an advanced stage of human society marked by a well-organized government an high levels of culture, science, and industry

traditional economy

undeveloped economic systems that rely on custom and tradition

steppe

sparse, dry, treeless grassland

polytheistic

believing in many gods

artisan

a skilled craftsperson

pictograph

a simple drawing that looks like the object it represents

scribe

In ancient civilizations, a person specially trained to read, write, and keep records

cultural diffusion

the spread of ideas, customs, and technologies from one people to another

city-state

a political unit that includes a city and its surrounding lands and villages

empire

a group of states or territories controlled by one ruler

fertile crescent

region of the middle east in which civilizations first arose

Mesopotamia

region within the fertile crescent that lies between the Tigris and Euphrates river

Sumer

site of the world's civilization, located in southeastern mesopotamia

Epic of Gilgamesh

Mesopotamian narrative poem that was first told in Sumer

ziggurat

In ancient Mesopotamia, a large, stepped platform thought to have been topped by a temple dedicated to a city-state's chief god or goddess

hierarchy

system of ranking groups

cuneiform

in the ancient middle east, a system of writing that used wedge-shaped marks

codify

to arrange or set down in writing

civil law

branch of law that deals with private rights and matters

criminal law

branch of law that deals with offenses against others

bureaucracy

system of gov. through departments and subdivisions administered by officials who follow set rules

barter economy

economic system in which one set of goods or service is exchanged for another

money economy

economic system in which goods or services are paid for through the exchange of a token of an agreed value

colony

territory settled and ruled by people from another land

alphabet

writing system in which each symbol represents a single basic sound

Sargon

The exact dates of King Sargon's birth and death are unknown, but according to Sumerian historians, he reigned from 2334 B.C. to 2279 B.C.. He is known for creating the first empire in Mesopotamia.

Hammurabi

(1792 B.C.-1750 B.C.) Hammurabi became the first king of the Babylonian empire. He inherited the power from his father, who extended Babylon's control across Mesopotamia. Hammurabi is known for writing the first code of law in recorded history.

Nebuchadnezzar

(634 B.C.-562 B.C.) Nebuchadnezzar was king of the Babylonian empire from 605 B.C. to 562 B.C.. He led several military campaigns, which expanded the empire to Aramea, Judah, and other cities. He rebuilt the city of Babylon and is credited with the construction of the famous Hanging Gardens.

Zoroaster

(about 628 B.C.-551 B.C.) Zoroaster was an Iranian religious reformer and founder of Zoroastrianism. He emphasized individual freedom to choose right or wrong and individual responsibility for one's actions. Zoroaster's ideas influenced the early development of philosophy.

subcontinent

large landmass that juts out from a continent

plateau

raised area of level land

monsoon

seasonal wind that regularly blows from a certain direction for part of the year

Harappa

large ancient city of the Indus civilization, located in present-day Pakistan

Mohenjo-Daro

ancient city of the Indus civilization, located in present-day Pakistan

veneration

special regard