The First CommunitiesLesson 1

Earth and the First People

Human like creatures appeared perhaps 1 to 2 million years ago

These early humans used simple tools they made from stone

This was the beginning of the OLD STONE AGE—the beginning of human history.

Earth and the First People

The OLD STONE AGE lasted until about 10,000 years ago (c. 8000 B.C.E)

The first modern humans lived in world that was quite coldGlaciers covered most of the land (ICE AGE)

From time to time Earth would get warmer

Earth and the First People

The first human like beings emerged in Africa

From there they would fan out to other continentsThey would adapt to the

environments they found

Check for Understanding

What happened during the Old Stone Age?A. Earth was hot, glowing ballB. Humans used simple toolsC. Humanlike creatures first appearedD. Life began in the water

Check for Understanding

What happened during the Ice Age?A. Glaciers covered most of the landB. The oceans rose and fellC. Life on land was fairly easyD. Modern humans appeared

Living as Hunters and Gatherers

Nomads were always looking for new caves to stay in

Men would hunt and use the only weapons available, KNIVES and SPEARS\Some may have sharp tips, or be

carved out of animal bone

Living as Hunters and Gatherers

Women and children gathered foodBerries, nuts, and fruit

They would use sticks to dig up roots

Homes were very simpleCaves, tents made of animal hides (skins),

huts made of branches

Living as Hunters and Gatherers

Some caves have paintings of animals that were hunted

The paintings were made from berries and clay

Check for Understanding

Match each description with a term.

A. knives and spears B. paintings of animals C. berries, nuts, fruits, and roots

1. These were tools the hunters used

2. These were foods that were gathered

3. These made the cave walls special

The New Stone Age

About 10,000 years ago the Ice Age came to an endGlaciers melted and earth grew warmer

Historians refer to this time as the New Stone Age

The new warmer climate was better for plantsPeople began to cultivate cropsCrops included wheat, barley, rice, and

beans

The New Stone Age

People began to domesticate wild animalsSheep, cows, and goats were

domesticated

These animals were used as sources of milk, meat, and hides

People of the New Stone Age had stopped being hunters and gatherers and had become farmers

Check for Understanding

When did the New Stone Age begin?

A. about 10,000 years agoB. about 100,000 years agoC. about 20,000 years agoD. about 200,000 years ago

Check for Understanding

What new things happened during the New Stone Age?

A. The Ice Age beganB. People began to plant and grow cropsC. People became hunters and gathersD. People raised their own animals for food and hides

Village Life

Because of planting and growing crops families stayed in one place

As more families settled down they began to live together in agriculture villages

No more living in caves, more permanent homes were built

Village Life

They built pens for animals

Since there was enough food, people could learn new skillsPotters or weavers, toolmakers,

boatbuilding

People could trade between villages

Communities began to grow

Check for Understanding

TRUE or FALSE

1. People in villages had to be nomads.

2. People in villages kept domesticated animals.

3. People in villages had to spend all days looking for food.

4. People in villages had time to learn new skills.

5. People in villages traded goods with people in other villages.

The Earliest Cities

Villages continued to grow – they became townsLarges ones were called cities

Two of the earliestJerichoCatal Huyuk

The Earliest

JerichoBuilt around 7500 B.C.E, in the

Jordan ValleyCovered 4 acres of land and was

surrounded by a wall that was over 12 feet high

Catal Huyuk

1950’s scientists discovered the ruins of another city in Turkey

Contained what is now the world’s oldest pottery and wool clothing

City was built later than JerichoIn a region that used to be called

Asia Minor

Catal Huyuk

City 8 times bigger than Jericho

Contained many large brick and stone buildings packed tightly together with no streets or alleys between them

This would set the stage for the next major development in human history – the birth of civilizations

Check for Understanding

True or False

1. In the 1950s, the ruins of Jericho were found in Turkey

2. In Catal Huyuk, there were no streets or alleys between buildings

Cultures and Civilizations

Villages needed a way to be organized so life could run smoothly

Villages grew into a civilization

Civilizations usually have:Government System of record keepingClass system

Check for Understanding

Which term describes a shared set of language, ideas, and habits?

A. Civilization

B. Culture

C. Government

D. Class

Check for Understanding

Which of the following is part of a civilization?

A. A government

B. A system of record keeping

C. A class system

D. All of the above