19th Century Social Science and Human Evolution
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Questions and Answers

Farming began in the Paleolithic era, which started approximately 10,000 to 12,000 years ago.

False (B)

Irrigation is a method developed to transport water from water-rich areas to drier regions to support agriculture.

True (A)

Mesopotamia was the only civilization to develop agriculture independently in ancient times.

False (B)

The Fertile Crescent, known for its agricultural productivity, was situated in North Africa and Southwest Asia, between rivers like the Tigris and Euphrates.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Von Ranke's work helped shift history towards a more objective, fact-based approach.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Technologies like the plow, pottery wheel, and chariot from Sumeria contributed to the advancement of many civilizations.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cuneiform writing involved using a brush to create wedge-shaped impressions on clay tablets.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Homo habilis, known as "handy man," was the first human ancestor to develop sharper teeth for hunting.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Hunter-gatherer societies primarily lived in settled agricultural communities.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Mesopotamia, located in modern-day Spain, France, and Italy, is the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The development of stone tools and the control of fire were important advancements for hunter-gatherer societies in the Paleolithic Era.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Neanderthals, despite having a larger brain size than Homo sapiens, did not interbreed with humans.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The development of agriculture led to the emergence of nomadic societies.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cave paintings were sometimes created using natural rock formations to add a three-dimensional aspect.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The hearth played a significant role in the socialization and cultural development of Homo erectus.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Earth is currently experiencing a glacial period within an ice age.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Early humans exclusively considered climate when selecting settlement locations.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Neolithic Agricultural Revolution resulted in a decrease in population size due to a less reliable food source.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Hunter-gatherer societies likely had a more varied diet than early agricultural communities.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Human adaptation is exclusively a biological process driven by evolution.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

History

The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, aiming for objective understanding.

Evolution of Sociology

The development of sociology as a discipline in the 19th century addressing societal problems.

Homo habilis

Earliest human ancestor known for making tools; 'handy man'.

Hunter-gatherer societies

Nomadic communities that survived by foraging, hunting, and scavenging during the Paleolithic Era.

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Neanderthals

An archaic human species that interbred with modern humans, known for having larger brains.

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Neolithic Era

Period starting around 10,000 years ago when humans began farming and settling down.

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Irrigation

Method of diverting water to agricultural lands to ensure a consistent water supply.

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Fertile Crescent

Region in the Middle East known for its rich soil between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

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Sumer

First known civilization in Mesopotamia, characterized by city-states and advances in writing.

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Cuneiform

Early writing system using wedge-shaped characters, developed by the Sumerians.

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Animal Husbandry

The branch of agriculture focused on breeding and raising animals for food and resources.

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Hierarchical Societies

Social structures arranged in levels, often with a powerful ruling class above others.

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Homo erectus

Ancestors of modern humans who first used fire and tools.

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Cave paintings

Illustrations created on cave walls during the Paleolithic Era.

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Ice Age

A period when Earth is partially covered in glaciers.

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Agricultural Revolution

Transition from hunter-gathering to agriculture-based lifestyle.

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Biological adaptation

Changes in human physiology over time to survive.

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Sedentary societies

Communities that remain in one place due to agriculture.

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Study Notes

19th Century Social Science Development

  • 19th-century social sciences (history, archaeology, anthropology, sociology) experienced significant development.
  • Leopold von Ranke's work was crucial for establishing history as an objective study of facts.
  • Darwin's theories and 19th-century archaeological/anthropological work advanced understanding human civilization.
  • Sociology emerged as a discipline to address societal problems.

Human Evolution

  • Humans (Homo sapiens) are hominids, closely related to chimpanzees and bonobos.
  • Human evolution involved a larger brain size over time.
  • Homo habilis (handy man) was the first to make tools.
  • Homo erectus, followed by Homo heidelbergensis, were predecessors to modern humans.
  • Neanderthals interbred with humans, contributing 2% of modern human DNA.
  • Neanderthals had larger brains than modern humans.

Hunter-Gatherer Societies

  • Hunter-gatherer societies were nomadic, relying on foraging, hunting, and scavenging.
  • Hunter-gatherer societies developed during the Paleolithic Era (Stone Age).
  • Use of fire and stone tools were significant steps forward.
  • Homo erectus used these techniques.
  • However, Homo sapiens' societies, centered around the hearth, were more sophisticated.
  • Knapping (stone tool making) advanced for Homo sapiens.

Cave Paintings

  • Cave paintings (rock paintings, cave art) were created during the Paleolithic Era.
  • Often sophisticated animal portrayals using natural materials (charcoal, ochre).
  • Simple tools like hands, natural fibers, and flint were used.
  • Notable sites include Altamira, Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc, and Lascaux.
  • Altamira features realistic bison.
  • Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc has diverse animal & geometric images.
  • Lascaux includes large murals with animal movements.
  • Unique figure: "bird-headed man" alongside detailed bison.

Ice Age and Domestication

  • Earth experiences glaciation (glaciers extend) and interglaciation (glaciers retreat).
  • Current period is interglaciation, starting approximately 10,000 years ago.
  • Warming allowed for animal domestication.
  • Domestication led to settled communities and agriculture.

Neolithic Era

  • Neolithic Era = development of agriculture and settled communities.
  • Shift from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles.
  • Led to the growth of large communities and cities.
  • Fertile Crescent (modern Middle East) was a cradle of agriculture (20,000 years ago).
  • Cultures in China and Mesoamerica independently developed agriculture.
  • Settlement increased social complexity, leading to specialists (artists, builders, rulers, philosophers).

Neolithic Agricultural Revolution

  • Transition from hunting-gathering to agriculture.
  • Agriculture produced food surpluses and population growth.
  • Division of labor, technology, and further food production were consequences of increased specialization.
  • Hunter-gatherer diets were possibly healthier, due to dietary diversity.

Choosing Settlement Locations

  • Early humans considered landforms suitability for farming (avoiding mountains, swamps).
  • Climate was also crucial to food production (avoiding extremes).
  • Presence of nearby animals also influenced settlement decisions.

Human Adaptation

  • Human adaptation involved biological (evolution) and non-biological (environmental modification) changes.
  • Examples of human adaptation include stone tools, fire, shelters, and agriculture.
  • Biological adaptations include opposable thumbs, upright posture, larger brains.
  • Agriculture allowed for food security and population booms.
  • Irrigation systems (ditches, dams, wells, aqueducts) are examples of environmental adaptation for agriculture.

Mesopotamia's Early Agriculture

  • Agriculture developed in Mesopotamia as early as 10,000 BCE (before 8,000 BCE.)
  • Domesticated plants marked this significant development.
  • Civilizational milestones includes animal husbandry (possibly predating agriculture), end of the last ice age, agriculture; city-states
  • Sumer, the first civilization.

Fertile Crescent

  • The Fertile Crescent was a productive region in Northern Africa and Southwest Asia.
  • Geographic location along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers contributed to the region's fertility.
  • Mesopotamia, the northern part, was the land between the rivers; often flooded.
  • Earliest societies developed there leading to class-based societies.
  • Merchants formed a middle-level class to facilitate trade.
  • Irrigation expanded areas suitable for agriculture.

Sumeria

  • Sumeria was the first great civilization.
  • Developed from a farming community along the Tigris and Euphrates.
  • City-states centered around ziggurats (temples).
  • Cuneiform writing was used for documentation.
  • Technologies such as plows, textiles, and chariots were developed.
  • Sumerian advancements influenced other civilizations.

Sumerian Literacy

  • Literacy and writing emerged around 3300 BCE.
  • Rudimentary notation (counting tokens) preceded writing.
  • Sumerians developed pictographs, followed by cuneiform (wedge-shaped stylus on clay tablets).
  • Writing originally for records (taxes, stores) and monumental inscriptions.

Sumerian City-States

  • Sumerian city-states were independent entities, each with its own king or priest.
  • City-states were located along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for trade.
  • Floods could also bring fertile silt to improve agriculture but also brought invaders.
  • Ziggurats (giant temple platforms) were at the centers of cities, connecting rulers and priests to the gods.
  • Significance: first large cities, the first written language.

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Description

Explore the significant developments in 19th-century social sciences, including history, anthropology, and sociology. Learn about key figures like Leopold von Ranke and the impact of Darwin's theories on our understanding of human evolution and hunter-gatherer societies. This quiz provides insights into early human history and societal formations.

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