World History Midterm

bipedalism

The ability to walk on two legs, a key evolutional trait of hominids.

homo sapiens

Modern humans, characterized by complex tools and culture, appearing around 300,000 years ago.

Beringia

The land bridge that connected Siberia to North America, used by early humans to migrate.

Neolithic

The New Stone Age, marked by the adoption of agriculture and permanent settlements.

Çatalhöyük

One of the first known cities, located in present-day Turkey, dating back to around 7500 BCE.

Mesopotamia

An ancient region located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, known for early civilizations.

Hammurabi’s Code

One of the earliest known legal codes, established by the Babylonian king Hammurabi around 1754 BCE.

Mandate of Heaven

A political doctrine in Chinese history used to justify the rule of the king or emperor.

Daoism

A philosophy that emphasizes harmony with nature and minimal government interference.

Legalism

A strict political philosophy in ancient China that emphasized laws and harsh punishments.

Pyramids

Monumental tombs built for pharaohs during ancient Egypt, particularly in the Old Kingdom.

Oldowan Industry

The earliest known stone tools, dating back to about 2.5 million years ago.

Jericho

One of the oldest known cities in the world, located in the present-day West Bank, dating back to around 9000 BCE.

Neanderthals

Close relatives of modern humans that lived approximately 400,000 to 40,000 years ago.

Cuneiform

The first known writing system, developed by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia.

Epic of Gilgamesh

An ancient Mesopotamian poem that explores themes of human mortality and divine power.

Amarna Period

A period in ancient Egypt marked by a religious shift towards the worship of the sun god Aten.

Intermediate Period

A time of instability between Egyptian dynasties, marked by a decline in centralized power.

Silk Roads

An ancient network of trade routes that connected China with the West.

Zhou Dynasty

The dynasty that introduced feudal rule to China and justified its rule with the Mandate of Heaven.