Unit 1 Exam

Unit 1 (Paleolithic, Neolithic, Early River Valleys Civilizations)

1. Short answer section

• Explain the characteristics of the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) and Neolithic eras (New Stone Age)?

• Explain the difference between the Code of Hammurabi and the 10 Commandments?

• What role did geography have on the development of early civilizations? Use terminology learned in the unit, and provide examples.

• Express the characteristics of a civilization, and add examples of 3 early civilizations?

1. Terms and Concepts: Study the notes, major vocabulary, and events of early history.

   Unit 1 Paleolithic and Neolithic

• Nomad: A person who moves from place to place rather than settling permanently in one location.

• Homo sapien: The species name for modern humans, characterized by large brains and the use of complex tools.

• Domestication: The process of adapting wild plants and animals for human use, leading to agricultural development.

• Irrigation: A method of supplying water to crops through canals or pipes to enhance agricultural productivity.

• Agricultural Revolution: The significant change in human history when agriculture began, leading to settled societies.

• Jericho: One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, located in the West Bank, known for its ancient walls and history dating back to Paleolithic times.

• Aleppo: An ancient city in modern-day Syria, which has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years, known for its rich history, architecture, and as a major trade center.

• Stonehenge: A prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England, consisting of a ring of standing stones, known for its mysterious origins and connections to ancient rituals.

Unit 2 River Valley Civilizations

• Mesopotamia: An ancient region located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, often referred to as the cradle of civilization.

• Fertile Crescent: A crescent-shaped region in the Middle East known for its fertile soil and early agricultural development.

• Ziggurats: Massive structures built in ancient Mesopotamia, serving as temples and administrative centers.

• Theocracy: A system of government where priests rule in the name of a deity.

• Cuneiform: The earliest known system of writing, developed by the Sumerians of Mesopotamia.

• Phoenicians: An ancient civilization known for their maritime trading and the development of the alphabet.

• Akkadian: An ancient Semitic civilization that ruled over Mesopotamia and is known for its military conquests.

• Assyria: An ancient Mesopotamian empire known for its powerful army and extensive library at Nineveh.

• Babylon: An ancient city in Mesopotamia that became a major cultural and economic center.

• Sumerian: The civilization that developed in southern Mesopotamia, credited with many innovations in writing, agriculture, and governance.

• Early Religions: Refers to belief systems such as Buddhism and Hinduism, which emerged in different cultures.

• Monotheism: The belief in a single, all-powerful deity.

• Polytheism: The belief in multiple gods or deities.

• Judaism: The monotheistic religion of the Hebrews, one of the oldest known organized religions.

• Hebrews: An ancient people regarded as the ancestors of the Jewish people, pivotal in the development of monotheism.

• Papyrus: An ancient writing material made from the papyrus plant, used primarily in Egypt.

• Rosetta Stone: An artifact that helped scholars decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics.

• Hieroglyphics: A formal writing system used in Ancient Egypt, combining logographic and alphabetic elements.

• Nefertiti: An Egyptian queen known for her beauty and her role in promoting the worship of the sun god Aten.

• Ramses II: A pharaoh known for his military leadership and large construction projects, including temples.

• Tutankhamun: A pharaoh of Egypt whose tomb was discovered nearly intact, providing great insights into ancient Egyptian culture.

• Thutmose III: A pharaoh known for expanding Egypt’s empire and many military victories.

• Hatshepsut: A female pharaoh known for her prosperous reign and extensive building projects.

• Mandate of Heaven: A Chinese political and religious doctrine used to justify the rule of the emperor.

• Dynastic Cycle: The historical pattern of the rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties in China.

1. Rivers Settled by Ancient Civilizations

• Ancient Egypt Civilization: Settled by the Nile River, which provided fertile land and fresh water.

• Indus Valley Civilization: Located near the Indus River, supporting agriculture and trade.

• Ancient China Civilization: Developed along the Yellow River (Huang He) and Yangtze River, crucial for agricultural sustenance.

• Ancient Mesopotamia Civilization: Situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, conducive for farming and city development.

The Paleolithic Era (Old Stone Age) was characterized by a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, the use of simple stone tools, and a nomadic way of life, while the Neolithic Era (New Stone Age) marked the development of agriculture, permanent settlements, and more advanced tools. The shift from hunting and gathering to farming allowed for population growth and the establishment of villages. Domestication of animals and plants played a crucial role in this transition. The Neolithic period also saw the rise of specialized labor and early forms of government. These changes laid the foundation for the first civilizations.

The Code of Hammurabi was a written set of laws created by King Hammurabi of Babylon, emphasizing strict justice with punishments based on social class, while the Ten Commandments were moral and religious guidelines given to Moses, focusing on ethical behavior and worship. Hammurabi’s laws followed a principle of “an eye for an eye,” whereas the Ten Commandments promoted moral values such as honesty and respect. The Code of Hammurabi was a legal system meant to maintain order, while the Ten Commandments served as religious and moral teachings. Additionally, Hammurabi’s laws varied in punishment depending on a person’s status, while the Ten Commandments applied to all people equally. Both influenced future legal and moral codes in different ways.

Geography played a crucial role in the development of early civilizations by providing resources, shaping trade routes, and influencing agricultural success. River valleys, such as the Nile in Egypt and the Tigris and Euphrates in Mesopotamia, provided fertile land for farming due to annual floods. Natural barriers, like deserts and mountains, helped protect civilizations from invasions, while coastlines and rivers facilitated trade and cultural exchange. In contrast, civilizations in harsher climates, like the early Chinese settlements along the Yellow River, had to develop irrigation techniques to adapt. These geographic factors determined where civilizations could thrive and how they interacted with one another.

A civilization is characterized by organized government, social structure, job specialization, advanced technology, writing systems, and complex religions. Mesopotamia, one of the first civilizations, developed cuneiform writing and city-states governed by kings. Ancient Egypt built pyramids, had a theocratic government led by pharaohs, and developed hieroglyphics. The Indus Valley Civilization created well-planned cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro with advanced drainage systems. These civilizations contributed to human development through innovations in law, architecture, and governance. Their achievements continue to influence modern society.