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Questions and Answers
What major change first occurred about 12,000 years ago?
What major change first occurred about 12,000 years ago?
Humans in the Near East abandoned the old hunter-gatherer lifestyle and began to take up farming.
In which region did the above revolution first occur?
In which region did the above revolution first occur?
The Near East
Which term is commonly used to refer to the above revolution?
Which term is commonly used to refer to the above revolution?
Civilization
The first plants to be deliberately cultivated may have been wheat and barley.
The first plants to be deliberately cultivated may have been wheat and barley.
What evidence indicates that beer was brewed in Mesopotamia by 4,000 BCE?
What evidence indicates that beer was brewed in Mesopotamia by 4,000 BCE?
What feature of ancient beer dictated the formats of early drinking equipment?
What feature of ancient beer dictated the formats of early drinking equipment?
Which features of grains made their early domestication especially attractive?
Which features of grains made their early domestication especially attractive?
Which feature of cereal grains is least likely to affect the environment by promoting deforestation?
Which feature of cereal grains is least likely to affect the environment by promoting deforestation?
Standage argues that ___ was probably the first food to be made with cereal grains.
Standage argues that ___ was probably the first food to be made with cereal grains.
How did the field of experimental archaeology contribute to historians' understanding of time trade-offs faced by nomads deciding to settle down?
How did the field of experimental archaeology contribute to historians' understanding of time trade-offs faced by nomads deciding to settle down?
Which conclusion does the archaeological evidence of flint-bladed sickles best support?
Which conclusion does the archaeological evidence of flint-bladed sickles best support?
Which argument does Standage make about the properties of grain leading to permanent settlements?
Which argument does Standage make about the properties of grain leading to permanent settlements?
The first permanent settlements in Southwest Asia were characterized by what?
The first permanent settlements in Southwest Asia were characterized by what?
What additional evidence would best convince you that people lived at the site year-round?
What additional evidence would best convince you that people lived at the site year-round?
What argument does Standage use to suggest beer was more abundant than wine?
What argument does Standage use to suggest beer was more abundant than wine?
Why does Standage speculate that beer was the first alcoholic beverage brewed widely?
Why does Standage speculate that beer was the first alcoholic beverage brewed widely?
Identify what these ancient Egyptian phrases referred to: 'the beautiful and good,' 'the heavenly,' 'the joy-bringer,' 'the addition to the meal,' and 'the plentiful.'
Identify what these ancient Egyptian phrases referred to: 'the beautiful and good,' 'the heavenly,' 'the joy-bringer,' 'the addition to the meal,' and 'the plentiful.'
Bappir in ancient Mesopotamia was a convenient way to store raw material to make beer, not a foodstuff.
Bappir in ancient Mesopotamia was a convenient way to store raw material to make beer, not a foodstuff.
What evidence supports the historian's saying that in ancient times, 'bread was solid beer, and beer was liquid bread'?
What evidence supports the historian's saying that in ancient times, 'bread was solid beer, and beer was liquid bread'?
Which evidence does Standage point to regarding the social and ritual importance of beer?
Which evidence does Standage point to regarding the social and ritual importance of beer?
Why does Standage mention that pottery images continued to depict straw-drinking?
Why does Standage mention that pottery images continued to depict straw-drinking?
Which argument does Standage use to explain why straws might have represented hospitality in ancient times?
Which argument does Standage use to explain why straws might have represented hospitality in ancient times?
Standage suggests that the modern custom of clinking glasses is based on what?
Standage suggests that the modern custom of clinking glasses is based on what?
The Egyptian tale of Osiris forgetting his gruel in the sun, accidentally discovering beer, and sharing it with humanity as a divine gift is historically accurate.
The Egyptian tale of Osiris forgetting his gruel in the sun, accidentally discovering beer, and sharing it with humanity as a divine gift is historically accurate.
Which arguments does Standage use to argue that alcohol has widely been linked to the supernatural or spiritual?
Which arguments does Standage use to argue that alcohol has widely been linked to the supernatural or spiritual?
Which of these is true about the switch from hunter-gathering economies to farming economies?
Which of these is true about the switch from hunter-gathering economies to farming economies?
Which argument does Standage make about beer and the transition to farming?
Which argument does Standage make about beer and the transition to farming?
Once a group relies on farming, which consequence of settling down makes it most difficult to return to hunting and gathering?
Once a group relies on farming, which consequence of settling down makes it most difficult to return to hunting and gathering?
How do we know the storage facilities in villages were communal rather than reserved for small families?
How do we know the storage facilities in villages were communal rather than reserved for small families?
Deposits of surplus food came to be seen as _____, and the storehouses became ______.
Deposits of surplus food came to be seen as _____, and the storehouses became ______.
What major change first occurred about 12,000 years ago?
What major change first occurred about 12,000 years ago?
In which region did the above revolution first occur?
In which region did the above revolution first occur?
Which term is commonly used to refer to the above revolution?
Which term is commonly used to refer to the above revolution?
The first plants to be deliberately cultivated may have been cereal grains.
The first plants to be deliberately cultivated may have been cereal grains.
What evidence indicates that beer was brewed in Mesopotamia by 4,000 BCE?
What evidence indicates that beer was brewed in Mesopotamia by 4,000 BCE?
What feature of ancient beer dictated the formats of early drinking equipment?
What feature of ancient beer dictated the formats of early drinking equipment?
Which features of grains made their early domestication especially attractive?
Which features of grains made their early domestication especially attractive?
Which feature of cereal grains is least likely to affect the environment by promoting deforestation?
Which feature of cereal grains is least likely to affect the environment by promoting deforestation?
Standage argues that ___ was probably the first food to be made with cereal grains.
Standage argues that ___ was probably the first food to be made with cereal grains.
How did experimental archaeology contribute to understanding time trade-offs faced by nomads deciding to settle down?
How did experimental archaeology contribute to understanding time trade-offs faced by nomads deciding to settle down?
Which conclusion best supports the evidence from the use of sickles and storage facilities?
Which conclusion best supports the evidence from the use of sickles and storage facilities?
Which argument does Standage make about the properties of grain leading to permanent settlements?
Which argument does Standage make about the properties of grain leading to permanent settlements?
The first permanent settlements in Southwest Asia were characterized by:
The first permanent settlements in Southwest Asia were characterized by:
What additional evidence would best convince you that people lived at the site year-round?
What additional evidence would best convince you that people lived at the site year-round?
What argument does Standage use regarding the abundance of beer compared to wine?
What argument does Standage use regarding the abundance of beer compared to wine?
Which arguments does Standage make regarding the first alcoholic beverage to be brewed widely?
Which arguments does Standage make regarding the first alcoholic beverage to be brewed widely?
Identify what these ancient Egyptian phrases referred to: 'the beautiful and good,' 'the heavenly,' 'the joy-bringer,' 'the addition to the meal,' and 'the plentiful.'
Identify what these ancient Egyptian phrases referred to: 'the beautiful and good,' 'the heavenly,' 'the joy-bringer,' 'the addition to the meal,' and 'the plentiful.'
What is NOT true of the durable substance called bappir in ancient Mesopotamia?
What is NOT true of the durable substance called bappir in ancient Mesopotamia?
What evidence supports the historian saying that 'bread was solid beer, and beer was liquid bread'?
What evidence supports the historian saying that 'bread was solid beer, and beer was liquid bread'?
Which evidence does Standage point to in promoting the social and ritual importance of beer?
Which evidence does Standage point to in promoting the social and ritual importance of beer?
What reason does Standage offer for the continued depiction of straws in pottery images?
What reason does Standage offer for the continued depiction of straws in pottery images?
Which argument does Standage make regarding straws representing hospitality?
Which argument does Standage make regarding straws representing hospitality?
Standage suggests that the modern custom of clinking glasses is based on?
Standage suggests that the modern custom of clinking glasses is based on?
The Egyptian tale of Osiris forgetting his gruel in the sun, accidentally discovering beer, and sharing it with humanity is true.
The Egyptian tale of Osiris forgetting his gruel in the sun, accidentally discovering beer, and sharing it with humanity is true.
Which ideas or pieces of evidence does Standage use to argue that alcohol has widely been linked to the supernatural or spiritual?
Which ideas or pieces of evidence does Standage use to argue that alcohol has widely been linked to the supernatural or spiritual?
Which of these is true about the switch from hunter-gathering economies to farming economies?
Which of these is true about the switch from hunter-gathering economies to farming economies?
Which arguments does Standage make about beer and the transition to farming?
Which arguments does Standage make about beer and the transition to farming?
Once a group relies on farming, which consequence of settling down makes it most difficult to return to hunting and gathering?
Once a group relies on farming, which consequence of settling down makes it most difficult to return to hunting and gathering?
As Standage traces the spread of farming, how do we know storage facilities were communal?
As Standage traces the spread of farming, how do we know storage facilities were communal?
Keeping surplus food in the storehouse was one way to ward off food shortages; ritual was another. As these became intertwined, deposits of surplus food came to be seen as _____, and the storehouses became ______.
Keeping surplus food in the storehouse was one way to ward off food shortages; ritual was another. As these became intertwined, deposits of surplus food came to be seen as _____, and the storehouses became ______.
What major change first occurred about 12,000 years ago?
What major change first occurred about 12,000 years ago?
In which region did the above revolution first occur?
In which region did the above revolution first occur?
Which term is commonly used to refer to the above revolution?
Which term is commonly used to refer to the above revolution?
The first plants to be deliberately cultivated may have been the cereal grains.
The first plants to be deliberately cultivated may have been the cereal grains.
What evidence indicates that beer was brewed in Mesopotamia by 4,000 BCE?
What evidence indicates that beer was brewed in Mesopotamia by 4,000 BCE?
What feature of ancient beer dictated the formats of early drinking equipment?
What feature of ancient beer dictated the formats of early drinking equipment?
Which features of grains made their early domestication especially attractive?
Which features of grains made their early domestication especially attractive?
Which feature of cereal grains is least likely to affect the environment by promoting deforestation?
Which feature of cereal grains is least likely to affect the environment by promoting deforestation?
Standage argues that ___ was probably the first food to be made with cereal grains.
Standage argues that ___ was probably the first food to be made with cereal grains.
How did the field of experimental archaeology contribute to historians' understanding of time trade-offs faced by nomads deciding to settle down?
How did the field of experimental archaeology contribute to historians' understanding of time trade-offs faced by nomads deciding to settle down?
Which conclusion does the archaeological evidence from around 10,000 BCE support regarding settlements?
Which conclusion does the archaeological evidence from around 10,000 BCE support regarding settlements?
Which argument does Standage make about the properties of grain leading to permanent settlements?
Which argument does Standage make about the properties of grain leading to permanent settlements?
The first permanent settlements in Southwest Asia were characterized by?
The first permanent settlements in Southwest Asia were characterized by?
What additional evidence would best convince you that people lived at an ancient site year-round?
What additional evidence would best convince you that people lived at an ancient site year-round?
What argument does Standage use regarding beer's reliability compared to wine or mead?
What argument does Standage use regarding beer's reliability compared to wine or mead?
What evidence supports the historian's saying that in ancient times, 'bread was solid beer, and beer was liquid bread'?
What evidence supports the historian's saying that in ancient times, 'bread was solid beer, and beer was liquid bread'?
Which evidence does Standage point to regarding beer's social and ritual importance in Southwest Asia?
Which evidence does Standage point to regarding beer's social and ritual importance in Southwest Asia?
What reason does Standage offer for the continued depiction of drinking with straws in pottery images?
What reason does Standage offer for the continued depiction of drinking with straws in pottery images?
What argument does Standage use to explain why straws might have represented hospitality in ancient times?
What argument does Standage use to explain why straws might have represented hospitality in ancient times?
Standage suggests that the modern custom of clinking glasses is based on?
Standage suggests that the modern custom of clinking glasses is based on?
The Egyptian tale of Osiris forgetting his gruel in the sun, discovering beer, and sharing it with humanity as a divine gift tallies closely with the way that beer was probably discovered in the Stone Age.
The Egyptian tale of Osiris forgetting his gruel in the sun, discovering beer, and sharing it with humanity as a divine gift tallies closely with the way that beer was probably discovered in the Stone Age.
Which ideas does Standage use to argue that alcohol has widely been linked to the supernatural or spiritual?
Which ideas does Standage use to argue that alcohol has widely been linked to the supernatural or spiritual?
What is true about the switch from hunter-gathering economies to farming economies?
What is true about the switch from hunter-gathering economies to farming economies?
What argument does Standage make about beer and the transition to farming?
What argument does Standage make about beer and the transition to farming?
Once a group relies on farming, which consequence of settling down makes it most difficult to return to hunting and gathering?
Once a group relies on farming, which consequence of settling down makes it most difficult to return to hunting and gathering?
What indicates that storage facilities were communal rather than reserved for small families?
What indicates that storage facilities were communal rather than reserved for small families?
Keeping surplus food in the storehouse was one way to ward off future food shortages; ritual and religious activity, in which the gods were called upon to ensure a good harvest, was another. As these two activities became intertwined, deposits of surplus food came to be seen as _____ , and the storehouses became ______.
Keeping surplus food in the storehouse was one way to ward off future food shortages; ritual and religious activity, in which the gods were called upon to ensure a good harvest, was another. As these two activities became intertwined, deposits of surplus food came to be seen as _____ , and the storehouses became ______.
Study Notes
Major Transition in Human History
- Around 12,000 years ago, the Near East experienced a significant shift from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural settlements, marking the beginning of civilization.
- Cereal grains like wheat and barley were among the first plants cultivated, leading to the development of stable communities and the world's earliest cities.
Evidence of Early Beer Production
- Archaeological finds such as a 4,000 BCE pictogram depict individuals drinking beer, indicating its significance in Mesopotamian culture.
- Ancient beer was unfiltered, necessitating straws to eliminate debris, highlighting early drinking customs and equipment.
Advantages of Cereal Grains
- Grains provided a reliable food source that could be stored for extended periods, promoting settlement over nomadic lifestyles.
- The abundance and long-term storage potential of grains reduced the need for continuous foraging, aiding in population growth and community stability.
Experimental Archaeology Insights
- Experiments demonstrated that families could harvest sufficient grain to sustain themselves for a year, influencing the decision to settle in one location.
- Flint-bladed sickles and other tools from around 10,000 BCE suggest permanent settlements focused on grain production.
Cultural Significance of Beer
- Beer was integral to social rituals, with different ancient Egyptian terms reflecting its cultural importance.
- Both beer and bread were derived from the same base ingredients, underscoring their interconnectedness in daily life.
Ritual and Supernatural Connections
- Throughout history, alcohol, particularly beer, has been linked to spiritual practices, including rituals and ceremonies in various ancient cultures, like the Sumerians and Egyptians.
- The act of sharing beverages through straws symbolized hospitality, suggesting deep social connections and community ties.
Economic and Social Impacts of Farming
- The shift to farming led to surplus food, fostering the development of crafts and specialization outside of food production.
- Communal storage facilities indicated the transition to more complex societal structures, as these warehouses were larger than needed for individual families.
Conclusion on Cereal Grains and Society
- The need for reliable food sources, especially beer, drove the transition from hunting-gathering to farming.
- Surplus storage evolved into religious practices, reinforcing the intertwining of agriculture and spirituality in early civilizations.
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Description
Explore the pivotal shift from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural settlements that occurred around 12,000 years ago. This quiz delves into the significance of cereal grains and the early production of beer in Mesopotamian culture. Understand how these developments led to the rise of stable communities and early cities.
