Human Development to 600 B.C.E.

Study Notes

The First Migrations

Modern humans originated in East Africa between 200,000 and 100,000 B.C.E., relying on hunting and foraging.
Lived in small, mobile groups without permanent homes, adapting to various environments.
Developed stone tools, controlled fire, and created art, including drawings and paintings.
Practiced animism, worshipping nature-associated deities, with early signs of male dominance (patriarchy).
By 10,000 B.C.E., humans had spread to every continent except Antarctica.

The Agricultural Revolution

Began around 10,000 B.C.E., coinciding with the warming climate post-Ice Age.
Marked by the transition to agriculture, including crop planting and animal husbandry in the Middle East.
Resulted in food surplus, allowing for specialization in occupations beyond food production.
Enabled population growth and the formation of larger settlements that evolved into cities.
Fostered technological advancements like improved irrigation, wheel usage, and metalworking.
Led to the creation of governments and writing systems, driven by trade and taxation needs.
Increased social stratification, with wealth-based class divisions; status of women generally declined.

The First Civilizations

Emerged from trends post-Agricultural Revolution, characterized by large societies, cities, and centralized power in river valleys.
Mesopotamia:
- Considered the world's first civilization, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in present-day Iraq.
- Comprised various city-states, known for their patriarchy, monumental architecture (ziggurats), and polytheistic beliefs.
- Sumerians invented cuneiform, the first written language, for documenting laws and trade.
Egypt:
- Developed along the Nile River, characterized by centralized power under a pharaoh.
- Created hieroglyphics as a writing system, alongside advanced mathematics and monumental constructions like pyramids.
- Unlike many ancient societies, Egyptian women could own property and were legally equal to men, granting them a higher social status.
Indus Valley:
- Archaeological evidence points to advanced civilizations (Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro) along the Indus River in South Asia.

Description

Explore the early history of modern humans from their origins in East Africa to their migrations and adaptations until 600 B.C.E. This quiz covers the basic concepts of survival, social structure, and human development during this formative period in history.