Prehistoria y Sociedades Paleolíticas

Prehistoria

• Prehistoria: The period from the appearance of humans on Earth to the invention of writing. Knowledge of this period comes from material remains found at archaeological sites.
• Hominization: The process of physical and cultural changes that transformed primates into humans. This process led to Homo sapiens.
• Early Humans: Appeared in Africa approximately 2.8 million years ago.

Paleolithic Societies

• Lifestyle: Hunter-gatherers, living in caves and open-air campsites. Humans relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering for food.
• Nomadic: They moved from place to place in search of resources.
• Tools and Fire: Developed early tools and learned to make and use fire.
• Art: Around 40,000 years ago, Homo sapiens created the first examples of art, including cave paintings and portable art. This art may have been related to rituals.

Neolithic Societies

• Agriculture and Domestication: Around 10,000 years ago, humans learned to cultivate crops and domesticate animals. This marked the beginning of agriculture and livestock farming.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: People began to settle in one place, leading to the development of permanent villages.
• Crafts and Tools: Developed crafts such as pottery, weaving, and tools essential to farming.
• Settlements: Established settlements and villages.

Metal Ages

• Metalworking: Around 5000 BCE, humans began using metal (like copper, bronze, and iron) to create tools and objects. This led to advancements in crafts and trade.
• Technological Innovations: The wheel and sail were invented to improve transportation.
• Megalithic Structures: Large stone structures were built during this period.

Prehistory in the Iberian Peninsula and the Valencian Community

• Evidence: The Iberian Peninsula has evidence of human presence dating back 800,000 years (Atapuerca).
• Cave Paintings: The region is rich in cave paintings, particularly in the Cantabrian and Levantine zones.
• Valencian Community: The Valencian Community has numerous rock-art examples mostly from the Levantine style.

Early Civilizations

• Urban Centers: The first major urban centers developed in Mesopotamia (Tigris and Euphrates rivers) and Egypt (Nile River) around 4000 BCE.
• Agriculture and Water Control: Control of river water was important for agriculture, leading to trade and the growth of cities.
• Social Structures: Early civilizations had social classes like farmers, artisans, and rulers.Rulers became representative of the gods.
• Religion: The religion of the time was polytheistic. Temples were both religious and economic centers.
• Architecture: Temples (like ziggurats in Mesopotamia and temples in Egypt) were built.
• Egyptian Funerary Art: Elaborate tombs and monuments (including pyramids and hypogea) were constructed, decorated with art depicting daily life and deities.

Este cuestionario explora la prehistoria, desde la aparición de los humanos hasta el desarrollo de sociedades paleolíticas y neolíticas. Se analizarán aspectos como la hominización, el estilo de vida de los cazadores-recolectores y el surgimiento de la agricultura. Ideal para estudiantes interesados en la evolución humana y las primeras civilizaciones.