PREHISTORIC ERA: BAPR STS

Paleolithic

Also known as Old Stone Age

Paleolithic

Earliest humans used simple stone tools, lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers, and depended heavily on nature for survival.

Mesolithic

Also known as the Middle Stone Age

Mesolithic

Transitional period marked by improved tools, early fishing technologies, and semi-permanent settlements.

Neolithic

Also known as the New Stone Age

Neolithic

Agriculture emerged, humans formed permanent settlements, domesticated plants and animals, and began pottery and weaving.

Science during Prehistory

Involved observing nature, recognizing patterns, and applying practical knowledge.

Technology during Prehistory

Consisted of tools, fire, shelters, and early agricultural methods developed through trial and errors.

Society during Prehistory

Evolved from small family groups to communities with shared roles and emerging social structures.

Sun and Moon (and Constellation)

Used to organize daily activities. Helped in tracking time and guiding migration and seasonal tasks

Experimentation

Innovation emerged from this.

Observation, Testing, and Improvement

The earliest form of the scientific method.

Oldowan Tools

Simple flakes and choppers

Oldowan Tools

Allowed early humans to process meat, cut plants, and defend themselves.

Acheulean Tools

Hand axes and Cleavers

Acheulean Tools

More refined and was used for hunting, woodworking, butchering, increasing efficiency and survival chances.

Fire

Improved food safety and nutrition, protected humans from predators, enabled warmth in cold climates, and became a center for social interactions.

Fire

Allowed early technological experiments such as hardening of wooden spears.

Caves, Animal Skins, Branches, and Stones

Early humans use these to build shelters.

Fur and Hides

Early humans use this to protect themselves from extreme weather, supporting migration to colder regions.

Agricultural Revolution

Transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled farming communities.

Agricultural Revolution

People began domesticating plants and animals, leading to stable food supply. This shift marked one of the greatest transformation in history.

Domestication of Plants and Animals

Scientific understanding of plant and animal life.

Irrigation, Plowing, and Seed Storage

Farming technologies that had an impact on social organization.

Food Production, Population, Complex Societies

Impact of farming technologies (simple plows and irrigation systems) on social organization.

Surplus Food

The reason why permanent settlements rose which lead to the development of early villages and towns.

Social Stratification and Specialization

Division of labor, creation of elites, and early governance.

Social Organization, Gender Roles, Trade and Exchange

Impact of Technology on Society

Social Organization

Impact of Technology on Society: Technological advancements allowed population to grow and roles to diversify. Leaders, skilled workers, hunters, and farmers emerged, creating organized social systems.

Gender Roles

Impact of Technology on Society: Because of Technology Labor became more specialized. One often handled hunting and heavy labor, while the other engaged in gathering, crafting, and early agriculture.

Trade and Exchange

Impact of Technology on Society: Communities traded some tools, pottery, seeds, and knowledge. These early exchanges allowed groups to spread innovations across regions and connect culturally.

Nile River

Geography and Natural Environment: Deposited rich silt during flooding. Served as a natural highway, enabling transport, trade, and communication throughout Egypt.

Irrigation, Transportation, Resources, Landmark

Importance of the Nile

Basins, Canals, Shadoof

Developed as early as the Old Kingdom to support large-scale farming.

Sahara Desert, Eastern Desert, Mediterranean Sea

The natural barriers of Egypt that protected them from invasions and allowed its culture to flourish independently.

Pharaoh

Leadership: Considered living gods, intermediaries between the gods and the people.

Ma’at (Order, Justice, and Balance)

Pharaoh & Leadership: Roles of Pharaoh in maintaining this.

Succession and Dynasties

Pharaoh & Leadership: Transfer of power and governance, forming 31 dynasties.

Polytheism

Religion and Mythology: What is Ancient Egypt’s religion?

Ra, Osiris, Isis, and Anubis

Religion and Mythology: Major gods of Ancient Egypt.

Mummification, Burial Practices, and the Book of the Dead

Religion and Mythology: Belief in the Afterlife.

Mummification (2600 BCE)

Religion and Mythology: Preserving bodies for the next world.

Book of the Dead

Religion and Mythology: Provided spells and guidance.

Pyramids and Tombs

Art and Architecture: Evolution from mastabas to pyramids and the Valley of the Kings

Mastabas to Step Pyramids to Smooth Pyramids

Art and Architecture: Evoluton of their Tombs.

Valley of the Kings

Art and Architecture: Where were pharaohs burried?

Sculpture and Relics

Art and Architecture: Symbolism in Egyptian art, forms, and purposes.

Order, Scale, and Divinity

Art and Architecture: Strict art conventions followed by Egyptians.

Obelisks and Temples

Art and Architecture: Monumental architecture

Obelisks

Art and Architecture: Symbolized the sun god Ra and were carved from single stones.

Temples

Art and Architecture: Served as symbols of divine power.

Hieroglyphs

Art and Architecture: Egyptian Writing system that preserved history and religion.

Mathematics and Engineering

Science and Technology: Egyptians used this to measure land and construct pyramids. 

Rhind Mathematical Papyrus

Science and Technology: Contained early algebra and fractions.

Star Sirius and Nile Flooding Cycles

Science and Technology: Calendars based on these factors.

365-Day Calendar (2700 BCE)

Science and Technology: Egyptian developed this to determine the day, still used to this day.

Medical Papyri (Edwin Smith Papyrus)

Science and Technology: Shows knowledge of anatomy, injuries, herbal treatments, dentistry, and basic surgery.

Pharaoh, Nobility, Priest, Scribe, Soldier, Worder

Social Structure: Stratification of Social status in Egyptian Era.

Scribes

Social Structure: Held in high status due to to their importance in administration.

Own Property, Divorce, Hold Positions

Social Structure: Role of Women during the Egyptian time.

Agriculture

Economy: Follows the cycle of the Nile flooding.

Wheat, Barley, Flax, and Vegetables

Economy: Major Crops in Ancient Egypt

Trade

Economy: Exchange of gold, copper, incense, wood, and grain.

Nubia, Levant, Punt, Mediterranean

Economy: Egypt traded with these countries.

Pottery, Jewelry, Linen, Tools

Economy: Produced as crafts by skilled workers.

Pharaoh as Lawgiver

Law and Governance: Focused on maintaining Ma’at.

Fines or Labor

Law and Governance: Punishment given by the judiciary.

Bureaucracy

Law and Governance: Organization of the state, tax collection, and record-keeping.

Conquests and Defense

Military: Egypt fought major battles (Battle of Kadesh, 1274 BCE) against the Hittites. Borders expanded into Nubia and the Levant during the New Kingdom.

Weapon and Tactics

Military: Military organization improved during the New Kingdom

Chariots, Composite Bows, Spears, and Shields

Military: Standardized weapon during the New Kingdom.

Foreign Relations

Military: Treaties like the Kadesh Peace Treaty or Ramses II’s treaty with the Hittites demonstrated diplomacy and regional influence.

Invasions and Decline

Decline and Legacy: Due to internal struggles and invasions, Egypt weakened.

The Great Conquest

Decline and Legacy: Under Alexander the Great in 332 BCE ended native rule if Egypt.

Assyrians and Persians

Decline and Legacy: Who invaded Egypt?

Ptolemaic Period and Roman Conquest

Decline and Legacy: Egypt under Foreign rule of these.

Architecture, Mathematics, Writing, Religion, and Art

Decline and Legacy: Egypt influenced these factors throughout the Mediterranean.

Rosetta Stone

Modern Discoveries and Egyptology: Discovered in 1799, allowed Champollion to decipher hieroglyphs in 1822. 

Tutankhamun’s Tomb, Abu Simbel temples, Papyri

Modern Discoveries and Egyptology: Significant finds on Archaeology.

3D Scanning, DNA analysis, Satellite imaging, and Carbon Dating

Modern Discoveries and Egyptology: Developing to Reveal new aspects of Egyptian History.