B-Notes #3

From Prehistory to Civilization: Hunter/ Gatherers, Mesopotamia, and Ancient Egypt.

Prehistoric Era
Origins and Ages of Human Beings

• 200,000 years ago, the human species (homosapiens) emerged in Southwestern Africa.
• 14,000 years ago, worldwide human race existed.
• The earliest prehistoric age is the Paleolithic Age (also known as the Old Stone Age).
• The Neolithic Age (aka New Stone Age) had advanced tool making and beginnings of agriculture.
• Initially, humans were part of migratory groups that hunted, fished, and gathered plants to serve as food.

Agricultural Revolution

• (Also called the Neolithic Revolution) was the name for the shift in human lifestyle from hunting to permanent settlements.
• The population rose due to the increased ability to produce food surplus, thus feeding and caring for young children.
• Hierarchies appeared, as the status of women lessened due to the confinement toward more domestic duties.
• The wheel and plow made enough food for storage possible.
• The villagers in early communities were polytheists (meaning that they worshiped multiple nature, human, and animal gods.