The Paleolithic Era

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The Paleolithic Era

• (From around 2.5 million years ago to about 10K
  B.C.E.)

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Paleolithic migration patterns
http//www.sheppardsoftware.com/images/Human_mtDNA
_migration.jpg
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The Neolithic Revolution

• (Began around 10K B.C.E.)

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Origins of Agriculture

• Neolithic-New Stone Age (10K-2K BCE)
• End of Ice Age meant new sources of food were
  required
• Had a dramatic impact on the natural environment

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• Emerged in different parts of the world at
  different times (first M.E., later Africa,
  Americas)
• Crops like wheat, rice, sorghum, etc. spread
  throughout Eurasia
• Crops like maize spread from Mesoamerica to NS
  America

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Members of one of the worlds last uncontacted
tribes
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The evolution of maize
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Early Agricultural Society

• Year Human Population
• 3000BCE 14 million
• 2000BCE 27 million
• 1000BCE 50 million
• 500BCE 100 million

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• Agriculture led to permanent settlements
  (Jericho, Catal Huyuk)
• Specialized labor developed (pottery, metallurgy,
  textiles)
• Control of property and land by a few led to the
  growth of a social elite (patriarchy)