SS Global Final

Paleolithic Age Characteristics

Nomadic hunters and gatherers in small bands sheltered in caves, fire discovered, basic stone tools used, migration around the world

Neolithic Age Characteristics

The Neolithic Revolution- change from nomadic to a settled lifestyle due to global warming, the invention of farming allowed people to settle (plants & animals)

Sumer Geographic Context

Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flood annually and deposits silt (agricultural surplus), Mesopotamia known as the land between two rivers, fertile crescent, Arabian Desert (arid & dry), cradle of civilization

Sumer Historical Context

Neolithic Revolution led to permanent settlements in river valleys

Due to flooding and droughts, Sumer had to develop…

Irrigation

Ziggurat (Sumer)

A temple used for religion- the different levels represent the different Gods & was built out of stone for the priest/king to worship and rule city-states

Religion of Sumer

Polytheistic

Written language of Sumer

Cuneiform

The Epic of Gilgamesh

Cuneiform tablets on stone & clay which gave the world five firsts- written language literature, wheel, government, religion

Egypt Geographic Context

Located in the Middle East in North Africa, the Nile River floods annually, agricultural surplus from silt, Sahara Desert is arid and acts as a natural barrier

Egypt Historical Context

Neolithic Age led to permanent settlements

Irrigation (Egypt)

Used irrigation (shaduff) to create an agricultural surplus

Similarities in Egypt and Sumer

Both were based on creating an agricultural surplus (domesticated animals)

Book of the Dead

From Sumer- to share what happens in the afterlife and a medical text explaining how to mummify the Pharaoh (hieroglyphics were translated by Rosetta Stone)

Written Language of Egypt

Hieroglyphics

Pyramids

From Egypt- a tomb to preserve/protect the body of the Pharaoh for the afterlife

Significance of the Code of Hammurabi

The first codified or written law code, innocent until proven guilty- the Ordeal (based on evidence), criminal and civil laws

Babylonian Society

Most laws rely on agriculture, strictly based on an “eye for an eye” & the theme of equality, and the higher the rank, the greater the punishment

Historical significance of Judaism (Israelites)

Abraham’s covenant with God created the first monotheistic religion along with the sacred text the Torah

Phoenician Geographic Context

Phoenicia is above Jerusalem and living on the Mediterranean Sea allows them to move easily (travel, trade, farming)

Phoenicians

Excelled at sailing and trade which led to cultural diffusion

Historical Significance of the Phoenicians

Created the alphabet and known as the “Carriers of Civilization” (Greece and Rome to the West)

Indus River Valley Geographic Context

Himalayas and Hindu Kush Mountains, Indus River, droughts in winter & floods in summer (monsoons)- known as the Subcontinent

Society of Ancient India

Well planned grid cities, pottery, the Great Bath, Harappan writing, the well

City of Ancient India

Mohenjo-Daro