Human Origins Chapter 1 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What are artifacts?

Human-made objects such as tools and jewelry (correct)

Living organisms

Natural objects found in the wild

Cultural practices and beliefs

What is culture?

A people's unique way of life

What are hominids?

Humans and other creatures that walk upright

What is the Paleolithic Age?

Earlier part of the Stone Age, lasted from 2.5 million to 8,000 B.C. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Neolithic Age?

Later part of the Stone Age, lasted from 8,000 B.C. to around 3,000 B.C. Signup and view all the answers

What is technology?

Ways of applying knowledge, tools, and inventions to meet their needs Signup and view all the answers

What are Homo sapiens?

The species name for modern human beings Signup and view all the answers

Who are nomads?

Highly mobile people who moved from place to place searching for new sources of food Signup and view all the answers

What is the Neolithic Revolution?

An agricultural revolution that shifted from food-gathering to food-producing Signup and view all the answers

What is slash and burn farming?

Farming method in which cut trees or grasses were burned to clear a field Signup and view all the answers

What is domestication?

Taming of animals Signup and view all the answers

What are the five characteristics of a civilization?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Who are artisans?

Skilled workers who made goods by hand Signup and view all the answers

Who are scribes?

Professional record keepers Signup and view all the answers

What is cuneiform?

A system of writing invented by the Sumerians Signup and view all the answers

What is the Bronze Age?

Period used to describe when people began using bronze rather than copper and stone to fashion tools and weapons Signup and view all the answers

What is Ur?

One of the earliest cities in Sumer Signup and view all the answers

What is barter?

Way of trading goods and services without money Signup and view all the answers

What is a ziggurat?

Pyramid-shaped monument that means 'mountain of god' Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Human Origins Key Terms

Artifacts: Human-made objects such as tools and jewelry that provide insight into past cultures.
Culture: The unique way of life of different peoples, including their customs, beliefs, and practices.
Hominids: A group that includes humans and other upright-walking creatures, essential for understanding human evolution.

Stone Age Periods

Paleolithic Age: The earlier part of the Stone Age, lasting from approximately 2.5 million to 8,000 B.C., characterized by the use of simple stone tools.
Neolithic Age: The later portion of the Stone Age, occurring from 8,000 B.C. to around 3,000 B.C., marked by advancements in agriculture and the development of more complex societies.

Key Developments

Technology: Refers to the application of knowledge, tools, and inventions by humans to fulfill their necessities and improve living standards.
Homo sapiens: The species name for modern humans, highlighting the evolutionary advancement from earlier hominids.

Lifestyle and Economic Changes

Nomads: Highly mobile groups that traveled from location to location to find new food sources, significant in the understanding of early human societies.
Neolithic Revolution: A significant shift from food-gathering to food-producing practices that began around 10,000 years ago, leading to the establishment of settled communities.

Agricultural Practices

Slash and Burn Farming: An agricultural method that involves cutting trees or grasses and burning them to clear fields, enriching the soil with ash for crop growth.
Domestication: The process of taming animals for human use, critical to the development of agriculture.

Characteristics of Civilization

Five Characteristics of a Civilization: Key features include advanced cities, specialized workers, complex institutions, record keeping, and advanced technology that define organized societies.

Artisans: Skilled individuals who manufacture goods by hand, contributing to the economy and culture of their communities.
Scribes: Professional record keepers responsible for documenting transactions, events, and important information in society.

Writing and Metal Ages

Cuneiform: An early writing system developed by the Sumerians, essential for record keeping and administration.
Bronze Age: A historical period marked by the use of bronze for tools and weapons instead of copper and stone, indicating advancements in technology.

Notable Early Cities

Ur: One of the earliest known cities in Sumer, providing evidence of urban development and complex society.
Barter: A method of trading goods and services directly without the use of money, highlighting the economic practices of early civilizations.

Architectural Features

Ziggurat: A pyramid-shaped structure that served as a temple and symbolized the connection between the gods and the people, indicating religious practices in ancient societies.

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Description

This quiz covers key terms and concepts related to human origins as presented in Chapter 1. Learn important vocabulary such as artifacts, culture, and the distinctions between the Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages. Perfect for students studying anthropology or early human history.