M R . P A G L I A R O
S E Y M O U R H I G H S C H O O L

Unit Objective
 Explain the origins, development, and achievements of early human beings.

P A R T 1

Part 1 Goals
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Develop timeline skills
Define artifact, remain, archaeology, & anthropology
Identify prehistory and its ages.

Time (and reading a timeline)
OLDER y e a r
0
Simple Version
NEWER
BC AD
Traditional Western Version
BCE CE
Contemporary Version

Traditional Dates – Used w/ Julian & Gregorian
Calendars; began usage in 525. There is NO year 0.
B.C.
A.D.


Literally, in English,
“ Before Christ ”
Marks year 1 as the birth of the historical figure,
Jesus, that Christianity is based around.


All things BC come before this event.
The larger the number, the older it is (like NEGATIVE numbers).


Literally, in Latin, “ anno domini ”

Translates to ‘ The Year of
Our Lord ”
Marks year 1 as the birth of the historical figure,
Jesus, that Christianity is based around.


All things AD start with this event, or come later.
The larger the number, the newer it is.

Contemporary Dates – Used to be sensitive of non-
Christian peoples. Also has no year 0. Introduced in 1800s by Jewish scholars in Europe.
B.C.E.
C.E.


Before the Common Era

Alternatively, Before the
Christian Era
Still uses the birth of the figure Jesus to mark year
1.


All things BCE come before this event.

Same as B.C.
The larger the number, the older it is (like NEGATIVE numbers)


Common Era

Alternatively, Christian Era
Still uses the birth of the figure Jesus to mark year
1.

All things CE start with this event, or come later.

Same as A.D.

The larger the number, the newer it is.

Studying Prehistory – Turn & Talk

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What is prehistory ?
What clues exist to help understand prehistory?
Who studies prehistory?


The period before written records.
artifacts & remains
 archaeologists, anthropologists, & paleontologists

Artifacts & Remains???

Artifact:

Anything made by humans

Remains:

Preserved (fossilized or decomposed) dead, human body parts

Archaeologists vs. Anthropologists
Archaeologists



Scientists
Study human society and culture
Use artifacts and human remains.
Anthropologists



Scientists
Study a group of people’s unique way of life
Use artifacts and remains.

Paleontologist?

Hypothesize:
 What challenges may archaeological teams face in the field?

Three Ages of Prehistory

1.
2.
3.
Ages based on technology
Stone Age

Paleolithic Era – Old Stone Age

Neolithic Era – New Stone Age
Bronze Age
Iron Age

P A R T 2

Part 2 – Hunters & Gatherers
Main Ideas


Geography-Early humans adapted their natural environment.
Culture-Humans created tools, language, religion, and art to improve life.
Why it matters now

Early humans created the first tools. Today, technology continues to improve our lives and helps us survive.
The roots of modern culture began in the
Paleolithic era.

Terms


 nomad (nomadic) hunter-gatherer technology
Key Vocabulary
Names

Part 2 Goals


Identify human achievements of the Paleolithic Era
Understand early human culture

Key Questions



How did early humans interact with the environment?
What were some tools developed by early humans?
What type of culture did early humans create?

Early Humans’ Way of Life
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Early humans = hunter-gatherers

Nomadic; migration

Equal gender roles
Lived in small bands; approx. 30 people

Human Migration

By 15,000 BC – humans migrated to all parts of the word

The Development of Tools

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Hominids controlled fire 500,000 years ago

Turn & Talk: What are the benefits of fire?
Technology-knowledge, tools, inventions to meet needs


Early stone axes
Complex tools

Build shelter

ALL IMPROVE LIFE

Early Human Culture



Language

Aided cooperation
Religion

Explain the unexplainable

Natural spirits
Art

Make people happy

Illustrate life/religion

Part 2 – Summary



Hunters-gatherers were nomads
Fire and tools improved lives.
Early humans created language, religion, and art.

P A R T 3

Terms

 slash-and-burn farming domestication
Key Vocabulary
Names

Neolithic Revolution
(Agricultural
Revolution)

Part 3 – Agriculture Emerges
Main Ideas

Economics-The development of agriculture caused an increase in population and the growth of a settled way of life.
Why it matters now

New methods for obtaining food and the development of technology laid the foundations for modern civilizations.

Part 3 Goals

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
Describe the Neolithic Revolution
Explore the impact of agriculture on human life
Explain the growth of villages

Key Questions
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
How did new technologies support the emergence of agriculture?
What impact did agriculture have on the lives of people?
How did farming develop independently in various parts of the world?

The Beginning of Agriculture
 Climate Changes

Longer growing season

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
Slash-and-Burn Farming

Use of digging sticks, hoes, sickles
Villages developed

Quick Review


What effect did new technologies have on early humans?
How did farming change the way people lived?

Farming Developed in Many Places


River Valleys

Africa (Nile)

Asia (Tigris & Euphrates, Huang He, Indus)

Irrigation
Americas

Higher elevations first

3-Sister’s farming

Agriculture Emerges: 5000-500 BC

Part 3 Summary



Post-Ice Age, the Neolithic Revolution brought planting crops & domestication of animals
Populations grew in permanent farming villages
Farming developed independently in many areas of the world.

P A R T 4

Terms



 civilization specialization artisan institutions
Key Vocabulary
Names

Jarmo


Çatal Hüyük
Ur

Part 3 – Agriculture Emerges
Main Ideas


Economics-The development of agriculture caused an increase in population and the growth of a settled way of life.
Culture-patterns of government, specialized workers, and social classes developed in complex cultures.
Why it matters now

New methods for obtaining food and the development of technology laid the foundations for modern civilizations.

Part 3 Goals



Explain how villages grew into cities
List and clarify the characteristics of civilizations
(book) and the elements of civilization (teacher).
Describe how the city of Ur exemplifies these traits.

Key Questions



How can an increased population complicate social relationships?
What roles do complex institutions play in the lives of people?
How might complex institutions help organize society?

Villages Around the World
 Surpluses Boosted Development

Food & material surpluses

Helped in bad seasons

Populations grew

Specialization developed

Villages Grew More Complex


Surpluses led to:

Trade


Artisans
Social classes

Government
Earliest complex villages:


Jarmo
Çatal Hüyük

Jericho

Characteristics of Civilization

Mr. Pagliaro’s 6 Elements
Cities
Government
Written
Records
Artistic
Activity
Religious
Activity
Social
Classes

Lesson Summary
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
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Improved farming techniques enabled village farmers to grow surplus food
Simple villages sometimes grew into complex villages
Complex villages grew into cities, and developed civilization.