Unit 1- Paleolithic and Neolithic Era

Paleolithic Age

The Paleolithic Age (2.6 million - 10,000 BCE) was a prehistoric period characterized by early human development. People were hunter-gatherers, using stone tools and fire. They lived in small nomadic groups, in caves or temporary shelters. Also known as the “Old Stone Age”.

Neolithic Age

The Neolithic Age was a period of human history characterized by the shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settled communities. It occurred worldwide between 10,000 and 4,000 BCE. People began domesticating plants and animals, leading to the development of farming and herding. This transition allowed for the establishment of permanent settlements and the development of more complex social structures.

Gender Roles

In Paleolithic society, although there was a clear delineation of roles, men and women were largely equal in status. It was not until the Neolithic Revolution that men began to take more and more control over human society.

Main geographical feature of early civilizations

The main geographical feature of early civilizations was rivers. They provided water for agriculture, transportation, and trade. Prominent examples include the Nile in Egypt, the Tigris and Euphrates in Mesopotamia, the Indus in the Indian subcontinent, and the Yellow and Yangtze in China. Rivers facilitated the growth of settlements and the development of complex societies.

Sumer

**Who:** The Sumerians
**What:** The civilization of Sumer
**Where:** Mesopotamia (modern-day southern Iraq)
**When:** Around 4,500 BCE to 1,750 BCE
**Why:** Developed agriculture, invented writing (cuneiform), built city-states, created complex social and political structures, constructed ziggurats, and worshipped multiple gods. Was the first civilization

Characteristics of a civilization

A civilization is a complex society characterized by advanced social, political, economic, and cultural systems. It typically includes:

* Who: Groups of people living together.
* What: Organized institutions, such as governments and religious systems.
* Where: In specific geographic regions.
* When: Throughout history.
* Why: To meet basic needs, establish order, and promote cultural development.

Cuneiform

**Who:** Ancient Mesopotamians
**What:** Developed the writing system known as cuneiform
**Where:** Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq)
**When:** Around 3200 BCE
**Why:** To record information, communicate, and keep records

Ziggurat

The Ziggurat was a massive stepped pyramid temple found in ancient Mesopotamia. It was built by the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians between the 3rd and 1st millennium BCE. Ziggurats were constructed in various cities, such as Ur, Babylon, and Nineveh. They served as religious centers, dedicated to the worship of deities.

City-State

**Who:** Ancient civilizations, such as Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome.
**What:** Independent political entities consisting of a city and its surrounding territory.
**Where:** Found in various regions, including Mesopotamia, Greece, Italy, and other parts of the ancient world.
**When:** City-states emerged in different time periods, with Mesopotamian city-states appearing around 3000 BCE, Greek city-states in the 8th century BCE, and Roman city-states in the 6th century BCE.
**Why:** City-states provided self-governance, protection, and cultural identity to their inhabitants, fostering trade, innovation, and competition among neighboring city-states.

Cultural Diffusion

**Example:** In the 15th century, the Silk Road facilitated the cultural diffusion of goods, ideas, and technologies between Asia and Europe. As a result, Chinese porcelain, spices from India, and the concept of papermaking spread across continents, influencing artistic styles, culinary traditions, and communication methods. This exchange of cultural elements through trade routes fostered a rich cross-pollination of practices, leading to the emergence of new cultural expressions and societal transformations.

Polytheism

Belief in multiple gods.

Empire

A large political unit or state, often consisting of multiple territories or nations, ruled by an emperor or empress. Empires are characterized by their extensive power, influence, and control over various regions, often through military conquests and colonization.

Code of Hammurabi

Ancient Babylonian law code, created by King Hammurabi around 1754 BCE. It consists of 282 laws that cover various aspects of society, including crime, trade, and family. Known for its principle of "an eye for an eye," it established a system of justice and punishment based on social status.