Neolithic Era Literally means New Stone Age

Neolithic Era • Literally means “New Stone Age” • Began roughly 9500 BC • Began in the Middle East – Mesopotamia • Fertile Crescent • Agriculture and Domesticated animals

Neolithic Era THINK PAIR SHARE • Why do you think anthropologists believe this to be the most important development in human history? ?

Neolithic Era • What a Neolithic village may have looked like.

Neolithic Revolution • Revolutionary shift in Human Subsistence! – No more hunting and gathering! • Food became more abundant • Populations began increasing • Cities began to form – More grains + more milk + more Wool + more meat = More people Able to survive!

Neolithic Era • Small clusters of people became Villages • Villages became cities. – This is a vital step in the development of civilization • Earliest cities were: – Jericho, Catal Huyuk, Uruk, Eridu, Ur – Civilizations began forming throughout the world – Cultural Hearths

Civilizations • What is a cultural hearth? – Culture = the way of life a group of people follow – Hearth = a vital and creative center

Civilizations • Complex Culture • 6 Characteristics of a Civilization – Cities – Governments – Religion – Social structures – Writing – Art

Civilizations • Cities – Food becomes more abundant, people live closer to each other • Government – Regulate and organize human activity • Religion – Explain forces of nature and roles in the world • Social Structure – Based on economic power • Writing – Keep accurate records, creative expression • Art – Architects, painters and sculptors,

Mesopotamia • Mesopotamian Civilization – Three general areas • Assyria, Akkad, Sumer (pg. 15) – Sumerians • Creators of Mesopotamian civilization

Mesopotamia • Civilization in the Fertile Crescent – Between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers • City States – A state with political control over the surrounding countryside – Eridu, Uruk

Mesopotamia • Sumerians used mud bricks to build – They invented the Arch and the Dome • Temple – Most important building in the city – Massive stepped tower • Ziggurat • Priests and Priestesses Temple on a Ziggurat

Mesopotamia • Economy – Principally agriculture – Industry • Metalwork, textiles, etc. – Trade • Invention of wheel in 3000 B. C. helped

Civilization into Empires • Sumerians! – First Empire • “A Large political unit or state, usually under a single leader, that controls many peoples or territories. ” (pg. 48) – Created the wheel – Created units of time – Cuneiform • First writing – Polytheistic • Worshipped many gods

Mesopotamia • Three Classes – Nobles • Royalty, Priests – Commoners • Farmers, Merchants, Fishermen, Craftspeople • 90% of Sumerians were farmers – Slaves • Worked on Buildings

Civilizations into Empires • Akkadians (2300 BC – 2150 BC) – Sargon conquered Sumerians – Used a strong military • Empire included all of Mesopotamia – Naram-Sin • King of 4 corners of universe – Empire fell by 2150 BC • This returned region to city states

Civilizations into Empires – Babylonian Empire • 1792 BC – Hammurabi » Leader in Babylon, a city state south of Akkad » Strong military » Axes and Daggers and Spears, oh my!! • Hammurabi’s Code (1 st codified law) – System of strict justice » Eye of an eye, tooth for a tooth » Accountability (officials, judges, builders, etc. ) » Marriage laws (page 50)

Civilizations into Empires • Phoenicians (Purple People) – Created an alphabet • Used by the Greeks, then the Romans, now us! – Great ship builders • Empire based on trade $$$

Civilizations into Empires • Israelites – Lived South of the Phoenicians – Minor factor in politics, but had a huge influence on religion • Judaism—Monotheistic • Migrated from Mesopotamia to Canaan – Under King David, ruled Israel • Capital Jerusalem

Civilizations into Empires • David’s son, Solomon – Israel reached its height of power • Massive armies, good economy • Built temple in Jerusalem » Viewed as symbolic center of religion

Civilizations into Empires • Under King Judah – In 720 BC, Assyrians conquered Israel • The Israelites scattered (10 lost tribes) – In 586, the Chaldeans destroyed Jerusalem • Remaining Israelites sent to Babylon – Babylon conquered by Persians • Ended Babylonian captivity

Civilizations into Empires • Assyrians (700 B. C. ) – Northern Tigris River – Very Powerful –Use of Iron weaponry – Lasted less than 100 years • Conquered by Chaldeans in 612 B. C. – Internal conflicts led to downfall

Civilizations into Empires • Assyrians – Really good at conquering, not so good at ruling • Army consisted of hundreds of thousands of soldiers – Cavalry was strength of army • • Used terror tactics Used Guerilla warfare Able to lay siege to castles as well Laid wasted to fields, trees, water supplies, etc.