From Paleolithic Era to the Age of Agriculture — Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the notes.

Homo sapiens

The species of modern humans that first appeared in East Africa about 350,000–260,000 years ago.

Out of Africa migration

The dispersal of Homo sapiens from Africa between 100,000 and 60,000 years ago, reaching most habitable lands by 1200 CE.

Paleolithic Era

The Old Stone Age; era of hunter-gatherers and stone tools, constituting over 95% of human history.

Hunter-gatherers

Societies that depended on hunting animals and gathering wild plants for food.

Stone tools

The primary technology used by early humans in the Paleolithic Era.

Prehistory

The period before writing, roughly before 5,500 years ago.

Writing

A system of recording language that marks the start of history as a written record.

Big History

A framework that situates human history within the 13+ billion-year history of the universe, linking human life to cosmic evolution.

Bands

Small, kin-based groups of 25–50 people typical of Paleolithic societies.

Nomadic

Moving from place to place in search of food.

Agricultural Revolution

The shift from hunter-gatherer societies to farming and animal domestication, roughly 12,000–4,000 years ago.

Independent origins of farming

Farming and animal domestication arising independently in 15–20 places worldwide.

Domestic animals

Animals kept by humans for farming, work, and food.

Settled villages

Permanent communities that emerged with agriculture.

Population growth

Increase in population associated with settled farming and villages.

Pastoralists

Herders who move with their animals in regions where farming is difficult.

Mound-building societies

North American cultures (200 BCE–1200 CE) known for constructing earthen mounds and complex societies.

Civilizations

Large, complex societies that formed after the Agricultural Revolution, centered in cities with social hierarchies, writing, and specialized occupations.

Ziggurat

A monumental Mesopotamian temple-political structure symbolizing state power and religious authority.

Bureaucracy

Administrative system of trained officials that runs a government.

Silk production

Chinese innovation of silk weaving and production.

Papermaking

Chinese invention of making paper, enabling widespread record-keeping.

Printing

The process of mass-producing written materials; emerged in various civilizations.

Gunpowder

An explosive powder developed in China that transformed warfare and technology.

Umma

The community of Muslim believers transcending tribal identities.

Ulama

Islamic scholars who interpret Sharia and teach Islamic law.

Madrassas

Islamic colleges that formalized religious and sometimes secular education.

Sufism

Islamic mysticism emphasizing personal direct experience of God and devotion beyond strict legalism.

Dome of the Rock

A sacred Jerusalem site symbolizing shared reverence among Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.

Silk Road

A long-distance overland trade network connecting East Asia to the Mediterranean for about 1,500 years.

Sea Roads

Maritime trade routes across the Indian Ocean linking Africa, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia.

Sand Roads

Trans-Saharan trade routes connecting North Africa with West Africa.

Monotheism

The belief in a single, all-powerful God; central to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Judaism

The oldest Abrahamic monotheistic faith emphasizing ethical justice and covenant with God.

Christianity

Monotheistic religion originating in Judaism, based on Jesus’ teachings, spread by Paul, and later becoming a major world religion.

Jesus

Jewish teacher whose life and teachings form the basis of Christianity.

Perpetua

Early Christian martyr from Carthage whose story encouraged steadfast faith.

Islam

Monotheistic faith founded by Muhammad in the 7th century CE; Quran as sacred text; rapid expansion.

Quran

The holy book of Islam containing revelations to Muhammad.

Mandate of Heaven

Chinese political doctrine that rulers’ legitimacy rests on virtuous governance.

Filial piety

Confucian value of respect for parents and ancestors.

Confucianism

East Asian philosophy focused on moral behavior, social harmony, and education.

Daoism

Philosophy emphasizing living in harmony with the Dao, nature, and simplicity.

Yin-Yang

Daoist symbol representing balance between opposing forces.

Hinduism

Major South Asian religion with the Vedas, karma, dharma, caste, and many deities.

Karma

The moral law of cause and effect guiding rebirth and ethical action.

Nirvana

In Buddhism, the liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.

Brahmin

Priestly caste in Hindu society.

Jati

Subcaste in the Hindu social hierarchy, based on occupation.

Vedas

Ancient Hindu sacred texts that form the basis of Vedic traditions.