Beginning of Life and Early Civilisations

These flashcards cover human evolution, prehistoric ages (Stone and Metal), and the core features of early civilisations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and the Indus Valley.

Culture

The practices, ideas, and creations of a society.

Bipedalism

The ability to walk on two legs, a key feature of early human ancestors.

Australopithecus

The first upright walkers and the earliest hominins to adopt bipedalism.

Homo habilis

Known as the "Handy Man," this species was the first to craft simple stone tools.

Homo erectus

A species that mastered fire and possessed a larger brain and more sophisticated tools.

Homo sapiens

Modern humans with a highly-developed brain.

Palaelithic Age

Also known as the Old Stone Age, characterized by crude stone tools and a nomadic lifestyle.

Mesolithic Age

The Middle Stone Age in human history.

Microliths

Small, refined stone tools used by early humans.

Neolithic Age

The New Stone Age known for the beginning of agriculture and the use of polished stone tools.

Neolithic Revolution

The historical shift from hunting to farming, leading to permanent settlements and the development of towns.

Bronze Age

The period following the Stone Age characterized by the use of tools made from bronze, an alloy of copper and tin.

Iron Age

A period characterized by tools made of iron, which was stronger and cheaper than bronze.

Mesopotamian Civilisation

An early civilisation located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, nicknamed the "Cradle of Civilization" ($3500\,BCE$ to $539\,BCE$).

Ziggurates

Architectural structures characteristic of the Mesopotamian civilisation.

Uniform

The writing system used by the ancient Mesopotamian civilisation.

Egyptian Civilisation

A civilisation nicknamed the "Gift of the Nile," known for Pharaohs, pyramids, and medicine ($3100-2100\,BCE$ to $30\,BCE$).

Hieroglyphics

The writing system utilized by the Egyptian civilisation.

Chinese Civilisation

The oldest continuous civilisation, known for achievements such as paper, silk, and ancestral worship.

Harappan Civilisation

Also called the Indus Valley civilisation, known for planned cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro with advanced drainage and grid systems.

Barter System

A system of trade based on the exchange of goods without the use of money.

Polysthetic

The religious classification of the Mesopotamian civilisation according to the notes.

Great Bath

A major feature found in the city of Mohenjodaro within the Harappan Civilisation.