The Stone Ages
The Stone Ages. Paleolithic Era Neolithic Era. Paleolithic Era. OLD STONE AGE 4.5 million years ago Hominids emerged. Neolithic Era. NEW STONE AGE 10,000 years ago Neolithic Revolution = Agricultural Revolution
The Stone Ages
E N D
Presentation Transcript
The Stone Ages Paleolithic Era Neolithic Era
Paleolithic Era • OLD STONE AGE • 4.5 million years ago • Hominids emerged
Neolithic Era • NEW STONE AGE • 10,000 years ago • Neolithic Revolution = Agricultural Revolution • Shift from food gathering to food producing
Neolithic Era • So, what’s the big deal? • Allowed for permanent settlement, food surpluses, the domestication of animals & new technology
Cradles of Civilization • Tigris/Euphrates River: Iraq • Nile River: Egypt • Indus River: South Asia (Pakistan/India) • Huang He River: East Asia (China)
Characteristics • Specialized Workers • Advanced Cities • Complex Institutions • Record Keeping • Improved Technology
Specialized Workers • Due to food surpluses, fewer people had to farm; time to refine skills & specialize • Examples: Artisans, Sailors, Merchants, Weavers, Priests,etc.
Advanced Cities • Once people began living together in one area, they established centers for trade • Examples: farmers, merchants, and traders brought goods to market in the cities
Complex Institutions • Supervise and protect agriculture & trade; Organize the community • Examples: Government, Religion, Economy
Record Keeping • To pass on and preserve information • Examples: Record amounts of grain, water levels, religious offerings, passage of laws, calendar, written language,etc.
Improved Technology • New tools & techniques to solve problems • Examples: ox-drawn plows, irrigation systems, potter’s wheel, tools from metal