Evolution of Man and Early Civilizations

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to the evolution of humans and early civilizations, emphasizing important developments and technological advancements.

Homo sapiens

The species of ultimately modern humans that emerged around 200,000 years ago.

Bipedalism

The capacity to walk upright, a key physical trait of early hominids that distinguished them from other apes.

Paleolithic Age

The earliest era of human history characterized by the use of unpolished stone tools.

Neolithic Age

The period marked by the development of agriculture and permanent settlements.

Metallurgy

The technological and industrial process of extracting metals from their ores and creating tools or weapons.

Ziggurat

A type of massive structure built in ancient Mesopotamia, serving as a temple and administrative center.

Oracle bones

Animal bones or turtle shells used in ancient China for divination and communication with ancestors.

Divination

The practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means.

Acheulean tools

A stone tool tradition associated with Homo ergaster, characterized by bifacial hand axes.

Levalloisian technique

A method of shaping stone tools that involved striking a stone core to produce a flake of predetermined size and shape.

Civilization

An advanced state of human society characterized by a complex social structure, governance, and cultural development.

Sumerian civilization

The earliest known civilization that emerged in Mesopotamia around 4000 BCE, known for its city-states and ziggurats.