History Chapter 1 & 2: Early Humans and Agriculture

The primary food source of early hunter-gatherers was wild plants and small animals.

Climate change, specifically ice ages, prompted early humans to migrate.

Between 60,000 and 90,000 years ago, humans began migrating away from Africa.

The first humans originated in Africa.

Language allowed the early humans to cooperate and solve issues within their group.

Early humans were nomads because they followed migrating animals for food.

Africa was the first location of early humans.

Language enabled early humans to cooperate and work together to resolve challenges.

Tools used by hunter-gatherers for activities like hunting, gathering, and making shelters. These tools were made from materials found in nature, such as stone, wood, and bone.

A natural disaster, most likely a severe drought, forced the first humans to migrate out of Africa.

Early humans reached North America by crossing a land bridge that connected Asia to North America. This land bridge no longer exists.

Cave paintings from the Paleolithic period suggest that early humans were artistic and depended on animals for survival.

Hunter-gatherers followed migrating animals for food, leading to a nomadic lifestyle, where they constantly moved and did not settle in one place.

The first permanent human settlements emerged near reliable sources of water and fertile land, which was good for farming.

The development of agriculture allowed humans to settle in one place because they could grow their own food. This led to the development of permanent homes and communities.

The Neolithic period (New Stone Age) saw a significant shift in human lifestyle, from nomadic hunter-gatherers to farmers living in permanent settlements. This change involved new tools, technologies, and social structures.

The transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to settled agricultural societies, marked by the domestication of plants and animals, the development of tools and technology, and the emergence of larger, more complex social structures.

When farmers produced more food, tools, and resources than they needed for immediate survival, creating a surplus available for trading, storage, or investment.

The development of specialized roles and skills within a society, like farmers, artisans, or priests, allowing for more efficient production and trade.

The process of humans controlling and breeding animals and plants for their benefit, leading to changes in these species over time.

The development of agriculture was likely driven by a combination of factors, including climate change, population growth, and the discovery of new food sources.

The domestication of animals provided humans with a reliable source of food, labor, and milk, but also introduced new diseases and potential conflict with wild animals.

The surplus of food, tools, and resources allowed for the development of trade, specialization, and the growth of settlements, ultimately leading to the rise of complex civilizations.

The discovery of pottery and other forms of art in Neolithic settlements suggests a greater level of social complexity, leisure time, and cultural expression.

Characteristics that define a civilization include organized government, specialized labor, infrastructure, and tools. Nomadic lifestyles and a lack of specialization are not characteristic of civilizations.

The presence of cuneiform suggests that Mesopotamian people shared a common language and writing system. It does not necessarily indicate their music, architecture, laws, or social classes.

Communication is crucial for civilizations to effectively solve problems, collaborate, and maintain order. It enables leaders to govern and allows for the coordination of complex tasks.

The presence of a harp, a specialized musical instrument, suggests a Mesopotamian civilization with a level of cultural sophistication and likely distinct social classes.

Domesticating plants enabled humans to cultivate reliable food sources, leading to the development of agriculture and, ultimately, settled civilizations.

Early civilizations often developed near rivers and floodplains for access to water, fertile land, and transportation.

Early civilizations were unique because they lacked existing models to follow. They were pioneers in developing systems of governance, agriculture, and social organization.

Early civilizations controlled floodwaters through various methods like irrigation systems, canals, levees, and strategic land management to prevent damage and utilize water resources.