Sedentary Societies PDF

Sedentary Societies CHAPTER 1  Where and When? The first humans were nomadic(moving around), living in small groups who hunted and foraged(search) for food. When food was no longer available in the territory they would move. The first permanent settlements became sedenta...

Sedentary Societies CHAPTER 1  Where and When? The first humans were nomadic(moving around), living in small groups who hunted and foraged(search) for food. When food was no longer available in the territory they would move. The first permanent settlements became sedentary(settled in a territory) around 10 000 BCE. They settled in areas that offered favorable conditions:(waterways, fertile soil, mild climate and food sources) for their survival  Becoming Sedentary; Where did the first villages emerge Early settlers settled in an area is known as the Fertile Crescent because it has valleys with fertile soil. It connects two continents; Africa & Asia It is located in the Middle East; modern day: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, northern Egypt and southern Turkey. It is also known as the ‘Cradle of Civilization” because it is where the first villages and civilizations emerged.  How did Humans become Sedentary? The first humans were different from primates in that they stood upright, walked on two legs, had larger brains and made tools. They lived during the Paleolithic period and were given the name Homo, latin word for humans. Homo Sapiens: Homo(humans) Sapiens(intelligent) They appeared in Africa around 300,000 BCE and began to migrate to other continents Where they originated and continents and where they populated  Prehistory Prehistory: A long period of time, between 2 500 000 BC to 3500 BC. It is a time before written records. Prehistory is divided into two periods… I. Paleolitic Period: A period of time between 2 500 000 BC and 10 000 BC. It means the Old Stone Age II. Neolithic Period: A period of time between 10 000 BC and 3500 BC. It means New Stone Age  Timeline Paleolithic Neolithic (Old Stone Age) (New Stone Age) ________________l___________l_______ 2 500 000 B.C. 10 000 B.C. 3 500 B.C. Prehistory The Paleolithic Period Prehistoric people were nomadic (moved from one place to the next to provide for their needs). They traveled in small groups Their movements were influenced by: The season The growth of plants and fruit trees The movement of animal herds Men hunted for animals and also used fires Women and children gathered edible plants, fruits and berries.  Dwellings Dwellings(homes): tents or huts were made out of material that was found in their environment; wood, leaves, stones, animal hides… They were easy to build or transport Caves or a hollow rock protected them from bad weather; wind, rain and snow Cave paintings found of animals  Food Subsistence activities(enough food to survive): Hunting Fishing foraging(searching for food) Most food had to be eaten fresh Meat could be preserved by smoking it. Food was scarce(rare). This kept the population low. People lived in groups of 30-50 Live expectancy was approximately 30 years old Tools Paleolithic humans made their tools from stones that they carved, chipped or shaped, wood and bones Atlatl: a weapon made out of wood lever and stone spear which allowed hunters to stay at a safe distance from the animal The Neolithic Period The Neolithic Period began around 10 000 BCE and ended in 3500 BCE with the beginning of writing. Permanent settlements: They became sedentary (lived in one place) They built permanent homes in villages; grouping together for protection They had a better diet so life expectancy increased to an average of 50 years. World population increased  Climate change During the Neolithic period, the climate became milder, causing glaciers to melt and major changes in the environment. Consequences(results) of prehistoric climate change: Temperature: milder and rainfall increased Waterways: more waterways, fishing became easier Vegetation: warmer, wetter climate produced fertile soils that promoted plant growth; allowing foraging to become easier Animals: Large game (ex mammoths) disappeared; they couldn’t adapt. Smaller, less threatening animals replaced them making hunting and farming easier  During the Neolithic period, humans Agriculture became farmers. They began planting seeds and eventually choosing plants that best suited their needs. They began to domesticate plants; wheat, barley, corn and rice They also began livestock farming. Livestock provided them a source of meat, milk, wool, leather. The animals were also used to carry loads and perform farm work. They domesticated sheep, goats, dogs, cattle, pigs, chickens They went from hunter-gatherers to producers: they began specialized in the production of their food, tools, and objects that were useful in their daily life. They began to trade;Barter They transformed plants to make clothes, baskets… They also learned new skills such as pottery and weaving.  Farming Tools Humans during the Neolithic period made tools from smooth(polished) stones, wood and bone. Effects of agriculture: improvement of tools and techniques led to increased production. Consequence: more production of food meant they always had enough to eat, even when harvest was poor A Sickle, to cut down cereals A Millstone, to grind grains and make flour Avmnsdklfsdkljjfknl;ksdfsdfoihiaesrfiojhksaDfdA Sedentarization & having food reserves allowed women to have more children which increased the population (demographic growth) A hoe, to weed and turn the soil Effects of Farming Middle East  How were Sedentary Societies Structured? The first societies: a group of individuals who live in the same territory, share common features such as language, beliefs, etc.. settled in the Fertile crescent region. The homes were primarily round and later on became rectangular so that they would be easier to divide and enlarge.  The settlement Mallaha and Motza Mallaha (Israel),sedentary settlement during Motza (Jerusalem), sedentary settlement during 12 000 BCE -10 000 BCE 8500 BCE to 6000 BCE Population: 200 to 300 settlers Population: 2000 to 3000 settlers Dwellings: Round, made of stone Dwellings: Rectangular, made of stone and mud They practised hunting and gathering but not bricks, sometimes with plaster floors farming They had open alleys that allowed people to move between the buildings. They practised farming and hunting Becoming Sedentary: Catal Huyuk Largest early town, 6000 people Located in modern day Turkey Created bone and stone tools. First to make paintings on ceilings Shrine rooms dedicated to Gods Found clay sculptures of very large women, models of Mother Goddess.  Territory, Production, and trade in the Neolithic period When humans shifted from Nomadic to Division of labour: farmers worked Sedentary, they took possession of a in food production and artisans territory, produced their food and workbed in the production of crafts. began to protect it and defend their crops and animals from thieves. This is how property developed. Property: something that belongs to a person or groups  Barter Humans used Barter to trade food and crafts they produced. Through barter farmers acquired better farming tools and artisans received food to feed their families. As humans accumulated more wealth, they acquired more power. Social Hierarchy and power in the Neolithic Period As the population grew, a social hierarchy developed. Highly skilled tradespeople and wealthier individuals who owned more property and land had more power within a group. Evidence found in remains, such as t megaliths(large stones) and rock paintings show how societies were structured and how they lived their lives. Tombs(graves) were also found, showing the social hierarchy of a person. A wealthy person was buried with jewelry. Rock Painting