Overview
This lecture covers the origins of human history, focusing on early human societies, the transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural lifestyles, and the technological ages up to the emergence of writing around 3200 BCE.
Defining "History" and Terminology
- Historians traditionally define history as beginning with the advent of writing (~3200 BCE).
- "Civilization" is an outdated, problematic term; use "society" to avoid biased distinctions between "civilized" and "barbarian."
- Prehistory refers to the long period before written records.
Human Origins and Early Societies
- The first humanoids appeared in Africa around 7 million years ago; Homo sapiens emerged ~130,000 years ago.
- Homo sapiens spread out of Africa ~50,000 years ago, then globally.
- Early humans were primarily hunter-gatherers, relying on gathered plants, shellfish, and scavenged meat.
Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age)
- Began ~3 million years ago with stone tool use, but sophisticated toolmaking started with Homo sapiens (~100,000 years ago).
- Humans invented tools, fire, art (e.g., cave paintings), and basic religion during this period.
- Hunter-gatherer societies were mobile and had little material accumulation.
Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)
- Started with the development of agriculture (~10,000 BCE in Mesopotamia).
- Farming led to fixed settlements, population growth, and the rise of institutional religion and government.
- Pottery and furniture become common as storage and accumulation of goods become possible.
- Neolithic societies experienced increased warfare, social stratification, slavery, trade, and wealth accumulation.
- Animal domestication: goats, sheep, cattle, and possibly dogs before agriculture.
Metallurgy: Copper, Bronze, and Iron Ages
- Metallurgy began with copper but advanced rapidly with the creation of bronze (copper + tin) around 3500 BCE.
- Bronze tools and weapons enabled larger cities, better farming, concentrated wealth, and more effective warfare.
- Writing arose in tandem with bronze societies to handle recordkeeping for trade, taxes, and administration.
- Iron tools (from ~1200 BCE) surpassed bronze, leading to even greater societal complexity and widespread change.
The Role of Writing in History
- Writing allows historians to answer "how" and "why" societal changes happened, not just "who, what, where, when."
- Pre-writing societies are primarily studied through archaeology, which is limited in answering deeper questions.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Hunter-gatherer — a society obtaining food by hunting animals and gathering plants.
- Paleolithic Age — Old Stone Age, marked by stone tools and foraging.
- Neolithic Age — New Stone Age, defined by agriculture and fixed settlements.
- Metallurgy — process of working with metals to create tools and weapons.
- Bronze Age — era when societies made tools from bronze (copper + tin).
- Iron Age — era following the Bronze Age, marked by the use of iron tools.
- Social stratification — hierarchical division in society based on wealth or status.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review textbook discussion on the use of "civilization" versus "society."
- Prepare for upcoming lectures on Bronze Age societies in Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China.
- Read syllabus and assignment instructions; focus on coming up with "how" or "why" research questions.