1. From the Paleolithic Era to Civilization
Early Humans
From the Paleolithic Era to Civilization

2. Prehistory
The time period before writing was invented is known as Prehistory.
History is the time period after writing was invented.
Prehistory is also known as the Stone Age.
The Stone Age has two parts:
Old Stone Age or Paleolithic
New Stone Age or Neolithic

3. During the Old Stone Age or Paleolithic era, people lived as nomads, in small hunting and food gathering groups. These people: 2
were nomads
made simple tools and weapons
out of stone, bone, or wood;
used caves and rocky overhangs for shelter;
cave paintings
Gave us an understanding of what life was like then
Lascaux, Altamira
learned to build fires
for warmth, cooking, light, and ceremonies.
Also used as a tool, weapon and a signal
invented tools for hunting, fishing, protection, and shelter
had spoken language
Needed for communication among one another so people could share ideas and trade

4. Causes of the Neolithic Agricultural Revolution
1. The change in climate was a major factor for the Agricultural Revolution.
2. Rising temperatures allowed for longer growing seasons and drier land for cultivating.
3. A large supply of
grain led to population growth.
4. A growing population led to a need to look for new food.
5. Farming offered a steady source of food.

5. The Neolithic Agricultural Revolution2
The Neolithic Agricultural Revolution
Neolithic Agricultural Revolution was the change from nomadic to farming life. This led to the development of civilization
PEOPLE BEFORE
PEOPLE AFTER
Relied on hunting and gathering.
Learned to farm and were able to produce their own food.
Nomads lived in small hunting and food-gathering groups.
Settled into permanent villages.
Waited for migrating animals to return each year.
Learned to domesticate, or tame, animals. This provided a dependable source of meat.

6. Summary of Progress During the Stone Age
Some achievements during Stone Age were invention of tools, controlling fire and development of language
Paleolithic Age (2.5 million to 8000 B.C.) was the earlier part of the Stone Age in the Ice Age
The earliest stone chopping tools can be dated to the Paleolithic Age
Neolithic Age (8000 to 3000 B.C.) was know n as the New Stone Age.
In the Neolithic Age people learned to polish stone tools, make pottery, grow crops and raise animals

7. 5. At one point, there were about 6,000 people living in the village.
6. Religious rituals were dedicated to a mother goddess who was believed to control the
supply of grain.

8. 7. Some of the problems with this new way of life were:
a. Villages could be destroyed by floods,
fire, drought & other natural disasters.
b. Diseases spread quickly because people lived so close to each other.
c. A village could be open to attack
from neighboring villagers or
nomads.

9. 8. Some villages grew into large cities.

10. What led to the rise of civilizations?3
What led to the rise of civilizations?
Farmers began cultivating lands along river valleys and producing surplus, or extra, food.
Surpluses helped populations expand.
As populations grew, some villages swelled
into cities.

11. Basic Features of a Civilization3
A civilization is a complex, highly organized social order. Historians distinguish eight basic features found in most early civilizations:
1. Cities
2. Well-organized central governments
Complex religions-Most were polytheistic,
4. Job specialization
5. Social classes
6. Arts and architecture
7. Public works
8. Writing-developed pictograms

12. PERSIAN Refer to Handout!
In AP World History, we use PERSIAN to describe various societies, civilizations, empires and nations.
Intellectual
Artistic
Near
Political
Economic
Religious
Social
Refer to Handout!

13. Civilizations Spread and Change
Civilizations spread when ancient rulers gained more power and conquered territories beyond the boundaries of their cities.
Civilizations change when the
physical environment changes.
Example: A tremendous volcano may have wiped out Minoan civilization.
Powerful rulers created city-states
and empires.
Interactions among people also
cause cultures to change.
A city-state included a city and
its surrounding lands and
villages.
Cultural diffusion is the spread
of ideas, customs, and technologies from one people to another. Cultural diffusion occurred through migration, trade, and warfare.
An empire is a group of states or
territories controlled by one
ruler.

14. Key Questions What advances did people make during the Old Stone Age?2
Key Questions
What advances did people make during the Old Stone Age?
How can we learn about the religious beliefs of early people?
Why was the Neolithic agricultural revolution a turning point in history?
What are the key features of civilization?

15. TASK: Early Humans Comic Strip
You have recently been hired by the local paper to create a comic strip that illustrates the changes in human development from the Paleolithic Era to the rise of civilizations.
Your task is to create a 3-frame comic strip that illustrates the unique characteristics of each time period.
Refer back to your notes and reading on Early Humans for help.

16. You must include:
3 Drawings or clip art figures of early man (no stick figures)
Drawings should illustrate features of the period.
Captions, conversation bubbles and/or tag lines
Color
Summary of each time period
Going Hunting.