Origins of Pastoralism and Early Human Societies

The lecture is conducted by Edward Weida, focused on the beginnings of pastoralism in Eurasia.
Key animals discussed include the Chavel Skis Horse, named after 19th-century explorer Nicollet Volsky.
Historical timeline of pastoralism spans thousands of years, particularly involving the Scythians, ancestors of modern populations in Iran and Afghanistan.

Traditional Dating:
- B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini): Used for events over two thousand years ago.
- B.C.E. (Before Current Era) and C.E. (Current Era): More secular alternatives that have become common.
Distant Past Dating:
- BP (Before Present): Refers to years before a specific point (usually 1950).
- YBP (Years Before Present) or YBA (Years Before): Commonly used for dating events like the Ice Age.

Divided into two crucial phases for human history:
- Pleistocene (Ice Age): Major climatic changes occurred, impacting human migration and survival.
- Holocene (Post-Ice Age): Began around 13,700 years ago and continues to the present.

Megafauna extinction correlated with climate shifts and human hunting practices.
Different patterns of extinction observed in Africa versus North America. The African megafauna remained stable due to human dynamics.
Clovis Culture: New hunting culture in North America contributing to megafauna extinction alongside climate change.
Notable megafauna examples include mammoths and the discovery of dwarf mammoths on Wrangel Island, surviving until about 4,000 years ago.

Prehistoric humans were primarily hunter-gatherers, with very few domesticated animals (e.g., dogs) until farming started.
Mobility defined hunter-gatherer lifestyles, although some areas like the Pacific Northwest and parts of southern Florida had sedentary populations due to resource abundance.

Farming revolution emerged during the Holocene, leading to sedentary lifestyles and community building.
The Neolithic Revolution described the significant shift towards farming and away from purely hunter-gatherer lifestyles.
Pastoralism developed a few thousand years after farming, originating mainly in Eurasian regions like the Fertile Crescent.

Key crops and animals included:
- Wheat (Triticum) and barley as significant plant crops.
- Goats and sheep as early domesticated animals, promoting settled agricultural practices.
- Settlements were based on domestication successes, leading to more stable food resources.

Important agricultural innovations include wheel invention, leading to wheeled transport, and selective animal husbandry practices.
The domestication of horses around 5,000 years ago in Central Asia significantly shifted human mobility and warfare.

Indo-Europeans expanded from the steppes of Ukraine and southern Russia, leading to the emergence of pastoralist societies.
The Scythians: Recognized as the first fully nomadic pastoralists around 2,700 years ago, leading to productive pastoral societies characterized by mobile lifestyles and warfare practices.
Cultural artifacts such as Scythian gold found in burial mounds, with notable craftsmanship and intricate designs, showcase the sophistication of Scythian culture.

The origins of pastoralism in Eurasia are foundational for understanding human societal development, demographic changes, and technological advancements.
Scythians exemplify the successful adaptation to and exploitation of the steppe environment, leading to extensive cultural and linguistic spread in Europe and beyond.
The next lecture will cover non-Indo-European groups like Turks and Mongols as they developed post-Scythians.