The Beginnings of Human Society

1
The Beginnings of Human Society

• Chapter 1, Section 1 - Pgs. 4-9
• Geography and History
• TN SPI 6.1.2, 6.1.6, 6.1.7

2
Objectives

• Learn what tools are used to understand history.
• Find out about the connections between geography
  and history.

3
Key Terms

• History written and other recorded events of
  people
• Prehistory time before writing was invented
• Archaeologist a scientist who examines objects
  to learn about the human past
• Oral traditions stories passed down by word of
  mouth
• Geography the study of Earths surface and the
  processes that shape it

4
Understanding History

• About 5,000 years ago in 3,000 B.C., peoples in
  Southwest Asia and in Africa developed systems of
  writing.
• They began to keep written records of their
  experiences.
• The development of writing marked the beginning
  of history.

5
Understanding History

• History is the written and other recorded events
  of people.
• By adding the prefix pre-, which means before,
  the word prehistory is formed.
• Prehistory is the period of time before writing
  was invented.

6
Prehistoric Times

• How can we learn about prehistoric times?
• Scientists must rely on clues other than written
  records.
• Archaeologists are scientists who examine objects
  to learn about past peoples and cultures.
• They sift through the dirt of prehistoric camps
  to find bones, tools, etc.

7
Prehistoric Times

• What can be learned from prehistoric objects?
• The size of a stone spear might hint to what
  kinds of game the people hunted.
• A small spear?
• A large spear?

8
Historic Times

• Historians study the written records of human
  life to understand a society, its wars, its
  religion, and its rulers.
• They also look at what other groups living at the
  same time wrote about the society.

9
Oral Traditions

• Written records often began as oral traditions.
• Oral traditions are stories passed down by word
  of mouth from generation to generation.
• Oral traditions often tell stories about heroes
  or important events of the past.
• Not all oral traditions are historically accurate.

10
Oral Traditions

• Stories often change as they are retold.
• Oral traditions often contain facts mixed with
  personal beliefs and exaggerations.

11
Geography and History

• Historians often search for geographic clues to
  help understand a society.
• Geography is the study of the Earths surface and
  the processes that shape it.
• Climate
• Landscape
• Location

12
Geography and History

• Why did ancient Egyptians develop a successful
  civilization?
• Location Nile River in Africa The river
  flooded each year depositing rich fertile soil on
  its banks.
• Climate Good for growing crops
• Because Egyptian farmers could grow large amounts
  of food, others could perform
• jobs that helped develop their society.