Paleolithic Era: “Old Stone Age,” the majority of the ...



Paleolithic Era: “Old Stone Age,” the majority of the existence of humans and time, very little happens over a long time. Humans are nomadic and exist by hunting and gathering.

Neolithic Era: “New Stone Age” The beginnings of civilization and permanent settlements. Humans learn to control their environment by the domestication of plants and animals known as the “Agricultural Revolution.”

Foundations of Civilization:

1) Distinction of Social classes: Slave, Noble, Peasant

2) Established Political Institutions/ Government: Officials, Soldiers, Laws and Ideals.

3) Division of Labor: Farmers, Merchants, Bricklayers/builders.

4) Permanent Population Centers: Cities, controlling the environment.

5) Written Language: A way of documenting ideas, innovations and political ideals.

6) Religion/Spiritual Beliefs: Attempt at understanding the nature of the universe.

7) Artistic and intellectual development: The desire to create new innovations as well as attempt to make life aesthetically pleasing. Science, Literature, Arts, Music, Sport.

Bronze Age: 3000 to 1200 B.C. End of Neolithic Era. Humans learn that by heating metal bearing rocks they could turn the metal into liquid and cast it in molds to make tools and weapons. Bronze is the combination of Copper and Tin and is the first metal alloy created. It is stronger and more durable than any other metal of its time.

Tigris and Euphrates Rivers: The two rivers that Mesopotamia lay in-between. This is on the Eastern end of the Fertile Crescent.

Ziggaraut: A temple on top of a stepped tower, the center of all city life in Mesopotamia. Mesopotamians believed that Gods and Goddesses owned the cities hence the ziggaraut becomes the center of the early city-states; physically, economically and politically.

Theocracy: A government by divine authority. A system where the leader is ordained by (a) god(s) or goddess(es)

Empire: a large political unit or state, almost always under a single leader. Empires control many territories and peoples at a single time. Very hard to maintain! Positive term?

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