Unit I: Intro to World History Unit I: Intro to World History and Foundations and Foundations

(8000BCE-600AD)(8000BCE-600AD)

History of the World in 7 MinutesHistory of the World in 7 MinutesGeneral OverviewGeneral Overview

Human OriginsHuman OriginsFirst MigrationsFirst Migrations

Hunter-Forager SocietiesHunter-Forager Societies

The Human ArrivalThe Human Arrival Human like creatures emerged on the earth’s surface Human like creatures emerged on the earth’s surface

approximately 3 to 4 millions year agoapproximately 3 to 4 millions year ago Modern humans developed between 100,000 and 250,000 Modern humans developed between 100,000 and 250,000

years agoyears ago The period from approximately 2.5 millions years ago to The period from approximately 2.5 millions years ago to

5,000 years ago is known as the Stone Age5,000 years ago is known as the Stone Age• During that time human communities took shape but remained During that time human communities took shape but remained

primitiveprimitive After around 10,000 years ago, human societies gradually After around 10,000 years ago, human societies gradually

became more advancedbecame more advanced• People learned to domesticate plants and animalsPeople learned to domesticate plants and animals• They practiced agriculture, invented systems of recordkeeping, They practiced agriculture, invented systems of recordkeeping,

made metal, traded goods and developed systems of social made metal, traded goods and developed systems of social and political organizationand political organization

Earliest “Civilized” SocietiesEarliest “Civilized” Societies Civilizations appeared between 3500 and 2000 Civilizations appeared between 3500 and 2000

BCEBCE All four appeared along banks of major river All four appeared along banks of major river

systems:systems:• Sumerian-Babylonian civilization in MesopotamiaSumerian-Babylonian civilization in Mesopotamia• EgyptEgypt• Indus River ValleyIndus River Valley• Early ChinaEarly China

Olmec in Central America (1200 BCE) and Chavin Olmec in Central America (1200 BCE) and Chavin appeared in the Andes after 900 BCEappeared in the Andes after 900 BCE

Soon after civilizations will emerge throughout Soon after civilizations will emerge throughout Africa, Asia, North America and EuropeAfrica, Asia, North America and Europe

Human Origins & MigrationsHuman Origins & Migrations First human-like creatures emerged in East Africa 3-4 million years First human-like creatures emerged in East Africa 3-4 million years

agoago Homo sapiens emerged 2-3 million years agoHomo sapiens emerged 2-3 million years ago Hard to determine line between Homo sapiens and NeandarthalsHard to determine line between Homo sapiens and Neandarthals ““Out of Africa” thesis: Homo sapiens evolved and then migrated Out of Africa” thesis: Homo sapiens evolved and then migrated

150,000 years ago150,000 years ago Other theses are mixed: modern humans evolved from “Homo” Other theses are mixed: modern humans evolved from “Homo”

groups and migrated groups and migrated • Thus appearing independently of one another years and years laterThus appearing independently of one another years and years later

Time Frame:Time Frame:• Middle East: 100,000 years agoMiddle East: 100,000 years ago• India & SE Asia: 70,000 years agoIndia & SE Asia: 70,000 years ago• China: 67,000 years agoChina: 67,000 years ago• Oceania: 50,000 years agoOceania: 50,000 years ago• Europe and C. Asia: 40,000 years agoEurope and C. Asia: 40,000 years ago• Eurasia Land Bridge (debated): 15,000 years agoEurasia Land Bridge (debated): 15,000 years ago• Most of the globe was inhabited by 8,000 BCEMost of the globe was inhabited by 8,000 BCE

Hunter-Forager SocietiesHunter-Forager Societies Earliest humans made tools out of available Earliest humans made tools out of available

material: wood, bone, animal skins, sinews and material: wood, bone, animal skins, sinews and stonestone

Stone Age (2.5 million to 5-6,000 years ago) is Stone Age (2.5 million to 5-6,000 years ago) is broken into two periods:broken into two periods:• Paleolithic (early Stone Age) ended about 12,000 BCEPaleolithic (early Stone Age) ended about 12,000 BCE• Mesolithic (transitional period from about 12,000 to Mesolithic (transitional period from about 12,000 to

10,000 years ago)10,000 years ago)• Neolithic (New Stone Age) began around 8,000 BCENeolithic (New Stone Age) began around 8,000 BCE

Stone Age humans lived in natural dwellings Stone Age humans lived in natural dwellings (caves, canyons) but also built huts, tents or (caves, canyons) but also built huts, tents or structures from wood & bonestructures from wood & bone

Used heat to cook food and live in colder climatesUsed heat to cook food and live in colder climates

Stone Age ToolsStone Age Tools

Greatest concerns of humans during Stone Greatest concerns of humans during Stone Age was to ensure plentiful food supply, Age was to ensure plentiful food supply, manufacture appropriate clothing for manufacture appropriate clothing for climate and provide adequate shelterclimate and provide adequate shelter• Tools reflected these desiresTools reflected these desires• Multipurpose tools were designed (axes, Multipurpose tools were designed (axes,

knives)knives)• Bow and arrow may have appeared during late Bow and arrow may have appeared during late

Paleolithic periodPaleolithic period• Clay pots used for cooking as far back as Clay pots used for cooking as far back as

12,500 years ago12,500 years ago

Social StructuresSocial Structures Chieftains or Elders formed Councils or positions of Chieftains or Elders formed Councils or positions of

leadership but society was relatively free of hierarchyleadership but society was relatively free of hierarchy Extended families clustered together, forming clans and Extended families clustered together, forming clans and

then later tribesthen later tribes Earliest humans survived by hunting and foraging, very Earliest humans survived by hunting and foraging, very

nomadicnomadic Most members of hunter societies has similar skills and Most members of hunter societies has similar skills and

ownership of land was unheard ofownership of land was unheard of Not much distinction between ‘rich’ and ‘poor’Not much distinction between ‘rich’ and ‘poor’ Cave paintings date back 32,000 years ago and a flute-like Cave paintings date back 32,000 years ago and a flute-like

instrument was found dating 30,000 years agoinstrument was found dating 30,000 years ago Division of Labor did exist, but uncertain if it was based on Division of Labor did exist, but uncertain if it was based on

notion of superiority:notion of superiority:• Men: hunted, fought, did heavy laborMen: hunted, fought, did heavy labor• Women: foraged, prepared meals, tended to childrenWomen: foraged, prepared meals, tended to children

Questions and Comparisons to Questions and Comparisons to ConsiderConsider

What roles do geography, climate, and environment play in What roles do geography, climate, and environment play in shaping human societies? How have different societies shaping human societies? How have different societies affected their environments?affected their environments?

What features make society “primitive” or “civilized”?What features make society “primitive” or “civilized”? How did the appearance of cities affect the development of How did the appearance of cities affect the development of

ancient societies?ancient societies? What is the importance of cultural interaction and diffusion What is the importance of cultural interaction and diffusion

versus that of independent innovation in changing societies versus that of independent innovation in changing societies technologically, scientifically or culturally?technologically, scientifically or culturally?

How have different societies organized themselves How have different societies organized themselves economically? What rolde did trade play in the prehistoric economically? What rolde did trade play in the prehistoric and ancient world? Describe the characteristics of and ancient world? Describe the characteristics of interregional trade networks (between Egypt and Nubia, for interregional trade networks (between Egypt and Nubia, for example, or between Mesopotamia and Indus Valley)example, or between Mesopotamia and Indus Valley)