The Neolithic Revolution in the Near East

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the Neolithic Revolution in the Near East, exploring various aspects such as agriculture, archaeological findings, and social changes during this transformative period.

Neolithic Revolution

The transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settlement, marking a significant change in human history.

V. Gordon Childe

An anthropologist who popularized the term 'Neolithic Revolution' in his book 'Man Makes Himself'.

Domestication

The process of adapting wild plants and animals for human use.

Sedentism

The practice of living in one place for a long time instead of moving around.

Epipaleolithic

The period preceding the Neolithic, characterized by hunter-gatherer societies.

Higher population densities

A demographic feature of civilizations where populations are concentrated in a smaller area.

Cultural watershed

A significant change or turning point in cultural practices or societal organization.

Fertile Crescent

A region in the Near East where agriculture and early human civilizations developed.

Robert Braidwood

An archaeologist known for his research on the origins of agriculture in the Near East.

Complex hunter-gatherers

Societies that exhibit advanced social structures and resource management before agriculture.

Agricultural economy

An economic system based on the production of crops and livestock.

Prepottery Neolithic (PPN)

A period characterized by early agricultural practices before the introduction of pottery.

Archaeological research

The study and analysis of ancient cultures through material remains and sites.

Monumental architecture

Large structures built to honor or commemorate significant cultural or religious events.

Göbekli Tepe

An archaeological site in Turkey considered one of the oldest known religious structures.

Innovations in art

New creative expressions that emerge within a culture, often signifying changes in societal values.

Ritual, Göbekli Tepe, and the Neolithic

The development of religious practices and symbolic expressions that impact cultural identity.

Domestic partnership

A relationship between humans and the domesticated species that provide resources.

Environmental setting

The natural conditions and characteristics of a region that influence human activity.

Labor investment

The amount of work and resources dedicated to a particular agricultural or economic practice.

Social complexity

The intricate social structures and relationships that develop in advanced societies.

Faunal remains

The preserved remains of animals that provide insights into past human diets and activities.

Burials without heads

A burial practice observed at Jericho, possibly indicating ritualistic or cultural beliefs.

Communal rituals

Shared religious or cultural practices performed by a group, often in a communal setting.

Cultivation

The process of growing and tending to plants for food and other resources.

Iconography

Visual images and symbols used to communicate particular concepts or beliefs.

Institutional labor organization

The method by which societies structure and coordinate labor for economic activities.

Neolithic Mode of Cultivation

An approach to farming characterized by specific practices and techniques developed during the Neolithic.

Radiocarbon dating

A scientific method used to determine the age of organic materials based on their carbon-14 content.

Cereals

Grains such as wheat, barley, and rice that are staple crops in agriculture.

Agricultural practices

Methods and techniques used in farming to cultivate crops and raise livestock.

Farming communities

Settlements that rely primarily on agriculture for their livelihood.

Cultivation and harvesting

The processes involved in growing plants and collecting them for use.

Religious symbols

Visual representations that carry spiritual significance within a culture.

Iconographic representations

Images or symbols that convey specific meanings or narratives in art and architecture.

Social differentiation

The process by which different roles, statuses, and functions develop within a society.

Plastered skulls

Skulls coated with plaster, often associated with burial practices in Neolithic cultures.

Chronology of the Neolithic

The timeline tracing the development and changes in societies during the Neolithic period.

Agricultural surplus

The excess production of food that allows a society to support larger populations and trade.

Food production methods

Techniques and approaches used by societies to grow, harvest, and distribute food.

Genetic change

Alterations in the genetic makeup of organisms over time, often as a result of domestication practices.

Cognitive capacities

The mental abilities related to thinking, reasoning, and understanding complex systems.

Early domestication

The initial phase in the long process of adapting wild species for human use.

Case study in archaeology

An in-depth examination of a specific archaeological site to draw broader conclusions.