RPS History Overview

The period in human history before the development of writing, characterized by the use of simple tools and hunting and gathering for survival.

The theory that modern humans originated in Africa and then migrated to other parts of the world.

A set of basic principles and practices that define a civilization, including cities, government, public works, and a shared sense of identity.

A crucial shift in human history, marking the transition from small, nomadic groups to settled agricultural societies with larger, more complex communities.

A collection of ancient Greek medical sayings and principles attributed to Hippocrates, emphasizing observation, experience, and the natural healing powers of the body.

Anthropologists and archaeologists study material remains such as artifacts, fossils, and environmental data to reconstruct prehistoric life.

Anthropologists have discovered that early humans developed increasingly sophisticated tools over time, from simple hand axes to more complex weapons and implements.

Early civilizations developed near major rivers because they provided essential resources like water for agriculture, fertile soil for crops, and transportation routes.

The eight basic features of civilizations, according to the textbook, are:

1. Cities: Centers of population and trade.
2. Organized Government: Structures to maintain order and provide services.
3. Complex Religion: Shared beliefs and rituals to explain the world.
4. Specialized Labor: People specializing in different jobs.
5. Social Classes: Hierarchy based on wealth, power, or occupation.
6. Public Works: Projects like roads, irrigation, and temples.
7. Writing: A system for record-keeping and communication.
8. Art: Creative expression through various mediums.

The Egyptians built pyramids as monumental tombs for their pharaohs, symbolizing their power and their belief in an afterlife.