Neolithic Era and Complex Villages

domestication

to grow and use plants and animals yourself

What is a nomad?

A person who travels from place to place in search of food. They do not live in permanent homes.

What were cows, sheep and goats domesticated for?

Their milk, meat and hides.

What were turkeys and chickens domesticated for?

Their meat, eggs and feathers

What animals were domesticated for transportation?

Camels, llamas and horses

What was the first domesticated animal?

The dog.

Why were dogs domesticated?

They were used for protection

What food was first domesticated?

Wheat and then corn

Why was domesticating corn and wheat so important?

They provided a constant food source.

What time period ("Age") was the Paleolithic Era also known as?

The Old Stone Age

How did the people get their food during the Paleolithic Era?

They were hunter/gatherers

Were the people of the Paleolithic Era nomadic?

Yes

What time period ("Age") was the Neolithic Era also known as?

The New Stone Age

Were the people of the Neolithic Era nomadic?

No

How did the people of the Neolithic Era get their food?

They started farming

What does agriculture mean?

farming

What tools were invented during the Agricultural Revolution?

The hoe, plow and sickle

How did farming change things?

It created a constant food source so people could settle down into permanent homes and create villages

What is a surplus?

To have more than enough of something

What was the most important surplus at this time?

wheat

Why was surplus such an important thing to these villages?

By having a surplus, not everyone had to farm and they could learn to do other things.

What does specialization mean?

To have a skill in a specific job

What are some examples of specializations at this time?

potters, weavers, builders, shaman, artisans

What is a shaman?

A religious leader

What is an artisan?

A person who makes art items - like jewelry, paintings, murals, pottery, etc.

Describe the homes these people lived in.

They were permanent homes - made out of mud brick - built very close together - had fireplaces and ovens inside - windows and doors were near the roof - could only get in the homes by using a ladder.

What is an irrigation system?

A way to bring the water from the river to the farms

Why did these people create villages near the river?

The river provided them fresh water and fertile soil

What is fertile soil?

It's land that is really good for farming because it has nutrients in it to help plants grow.

What are some examples of items made to create an irrigation system?

canals, ditches and streams

Why was living in a village a good thing?

It had a surplus - it provided protection - it allowed you to trade with other villages - it would help you learn more specializations

Why was living in a village not such a good thing?

Because garbage wasn't always disposed of in the best way, animals and diseases could infect the village - fire was more of a possibility - living close to a river would be hard because the river floods

What is a social class?

a group of people that have similar backgrounds, beliefs, and income

How did social classes develop?

Since the village now a had a surplus, people were able to specialize jobs and that led people with common interests and jobs to hang out with each other

What is a government?

A system of laws and leadership to keep order

What social class is at the top of the social pyramid?

Government leaders and shaman

What social class is at the bottom of the social pyramid?

The farmers

Why is it ironic that the farmers are at the bottom of the social pyramid?

Because without the farmers, they wouldn't have a surplus - so technically farmers are the most important social class and should be at the top of the pyramid - but they aren't :(