EARLY HUMANS
Early humans originated in Africa and migrated to other regions
What major change in food production began during the Neolithic Revolution?
People began farming and domesticating animals.
Which river supported ancient Egyptian civilization?
The Nile River.
What is the belief in many gods called?
Polytheism.
What was the writing system developed in ancient Mesopotamia called?
Cuneiform.
How did Paleolithic people obtain their food?
By hunting animals and gathering wild plants.
What does it mean to live a sedentary lifestyle?
To live in a permanent settlement instead of moving frequently.
Between which TWO rivers did Mesopotamian civilization develop?
The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
What Chinese belief explained a ruler’s right to govern through approval from Heaven?
The Mandate of Heaven.
What was the job of a scribe?
To read, write, and keep records, including government, trade, and religious records.
Why did Paleolithic people live a nomadic lifestyle?
They moved to find food, water, and other resources.
How did food surpluses lead to job specialization?
Extra food allowed some people to become artisans, merchants, or scribes instead of farmers.
Why was settling near rivers useful for early farmers?
Rivers supplied water and deposited fertile soil for growing crops.
What is ancestor veneration?
Honoring deceased relatives, often through rituals and offerings.
How did writing help ancient merchants conduct business?
It allowed them to record purchases, loans, debts, and trade agreements
Identify TWO technologies that helped Paleolithic humans survive.
Fire and chipped-stone tools.
How did agriculture contribute to social inequality?
Some people controlled more land and surplus food, gaining greater wealth and power.
In which region did the Olmec and Maya civilizations develop?
Mesoamerica, including parts of present-day Mexico and Central America.
How could monumental architecture strengthen a ruler’s political power?
It displayed the ruler’s wealth, authority, ability to organize workers, and connection to religion.
How could a written law code help a king govern a large society?
It communicated rules and punishments and reinforced the king’s authority.
Explain how fire helped early humans survive in new environments.
Fire provided warmth, helped cook food, and offered protection from predators.
Explain how agriculture helped villages grow into cities.
Farming produced food surpluses, which supported population growth, specialized jobs, and larger settlements.
Explain how Egyptians adapted to living in a region surrounded by deserts.
They settled near the Nile and used its water and fertile soil to farm, including through irrigation.
Give ONE similarity and ONE difference between Egyptian pyramids and Mesopotamian ziggurats.
Both connected monumental architecture to religion and authority. Pyramids were royal tombs, while ziggurats supported temples used to worship gods.
Archaeologists discover an ancient city missing from older textbooks. What does this show about historical knowledge?
Historical interpretations can change when new evidence is discovered and evaluated.