Early Civilizations and the Neolithic Revolution

Vocabulary flashcards related to early civilizations and the Neolithic Revolution.

Paleolithic Era

The era characterized by non-sedentary hunting and gathering lifestyles.

Neolithic Era

The era characterized by a turn to agriculture, herding, and semi-sedentary lifestyles.

Food-gathering societies

Food-gathering societies in prehistoric times often had small populations.

Development of farming in the Middle East during Neolithic times

The establishment of permanent settlements.

Subsistence agriculture

Farmers produce crops mainly for their own immediate use.

Order of occupation development in human history

Hunters and gatherers, nomadic herders, farmers, traders.

One result of the Neolithic Revolution

The establishment of villages and the rise of governments.

Characteristics of a traditional economy

Hunting and gathering, subsistence agriculture, and the barter system.

Subsistence farmers

People who grow just enough food to meet the needs of the immediate family.

Important result of the Neolithic Revolution

Food supplies became more reliable.

Occurrences during the Neolithic Revolution

Domestication of animals and growing of crops.

Nomads

People who move from place to place.

How the introduction of agriculture affected early peoples

Civilizations developed.

Where early civilizations mainly developed

Areas with developed valleys near rivers.

Importance to development of ancient civilizations

River valleys.

Similarity of early civilizations

Dependent on fertile land.

Why the river valleys were centers of civilization

Provided a means of transportation and irrigation.

Main purpose of a map

Illustrate the location of river valley civilizations.

Location of the Middle Kingdom of Assyria

Known as the Fertile Crescent.

How the ancient Sumerians modified their environment

Digging irrigation canals.

Culture

The total learned heritage of a people.

Common characteristic to ancient civilizations

Written forms of communication.

Best title for a diagram

Elements of civilization.

Where cultural diffusion occurs most rapidly

Come into frequent contact with other groups.

Hammurabi code of law reflect

Was based on divisions that existed between social classes.

Code of Hammurabi was designed to

To create a stable society.

The Code of Hammurabi was a major contribution

Recorded existing laws for all to see.