Download Unit 2: Early Humans & the Rise of Civilization

Unit 2: Early Humans &
the Rise of Civilization
Hominids to Modern Man
Defining the Time
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Hominids to Modern Man = Prehistory to the
invention of writing.
4.5 million years ago (MYA) to 5,500 years
ago (3500 BC).
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What is…
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A hominid?
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Any of a family of 2 footed primate mammals
comprising recent man, his immediate ancestors &
related extinct forms.
Learned how to start fires.
Hunter-gatherers for thousands of years before
they developed the ability to farm & herd.
A “Modern Man?”
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This refers to the human race after the invention of
writing.
5,500 years ago (3500 BC) to the present…
The First Writing
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In 3500 BC the Sumerians of Mesopotamia
invented writing. They drew pictographs
which soon became Cuneiform because of
the difficulty they had in drawing in clay.
Paleolithic to Neolithic
Paleo“The Old Stone Age”
200,000 years ago
Used basic chipped
stone tools
Made small sculptures
and wall paintings
Hunter-gatherers
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*Both are still before writing
Neo“The New Stone Age”
10,000 years ago
Used polished or
grinded hard stone
tools
Depended on
domesticated plants &
animals
Settled in permanent
villages
Pottery & weaving
developed
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