Mesopotamia
The region in which humans first began farming and herding around 8,000 BC
what is The Fertile Crescent
The longest river in the world, flowing 4, 200 miles, this river flooded at the same time each year for about six months leaving behind rich soil that allowed the Egyptian people to grow wheat, beans, barley, and even cotton.
What is the Nile River
The "rebirth of the soul" was an important idea; the actions of a perso in this life affects his or her position in the nex life.
what is reincarnation
The belief that the king or emperor was appointed by the gods to rule
What is "The Mandate of Heaven"
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, built this for one of his wives. It is one of the seven wonders of the world.
what are the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
What is Mesopotamia
This way of writing used pictures to represent words or sounds.
What is Hieroglyphics
The early civilization in India. The farmers mainly grew wheat, barley, rice, dates, and peas. They also kept cows for milk, had sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and possibly donkeys and camels.
what is the Harappan Civilization
recorded history in China begins with this dynasty. They were skilled workers in bone, jade, ceramics, stone, wood, shells, and bronze. It was during this dynasty that working with bronze became common.
What is the "Shang Dynasty"
the world's oldest book, a collection of stories about a Sumerian hero
what is The Epic of Gilgamesh
they settled in Mesopotamia around 4,000BC and were the first people to use the plow for farming the silt-rich soil. They built the first cities and established the first monarchies. This group of people invented the wheel, sailboat, and created the first lunar calendar.
who were the Sumerians
the powerful groups or families that ruled Egypt for a number of years; usually rule passed from father to son
what are dynasties
They believe in many gods and goddesses, but one spiritual power called Brahman; they also believe in reincarnation.
What is Hinduism or the Hindu religion
another artifact common to the Shang dynasty, these were used by priests to answer questions about the future. They interpreted the cracks formed by holes punched into the bones. They were also a way for the priests to write down the history of the dynasty and the timeline of the kings.
what is oracle bones
The English word "paper" comes from this Egyptian word
what is papyrus
a writing system, created by the Sumerians, made up of wedge-shaped characters. They wrote on clay tablets, using a reed pen called a stylus.
What is cuneiform
created from large stones, they were home to the pharaoh and his treasures after he died
What are the pyramids
Uncovered by archaeologists, evidence of skilled craftsmanship and successful trade, as well as well organized and sanitary cities
What are pottery, textiles, and beads
city streets in a grid (straight lines and right angles), buildings made with identical brick, complex drainage systems
This trade route went from China to Eastern Europe. It got its name from one of its major items of trade, but the Chinese also exported tea, salt, sugar, porcelain, and spices. Most of what was traded were luxury goods. They imported cotton, ivory wool gold, and silver. This road also contributed to the spread of ideas and cultural practices throughout the Eastern Hemisphere.
What is the Silk Road
This "non-cast group" in ancient India got their name because they carried out the tasks no one else wanted, such as dealing with sewage, working with animal skin, and anything dealing with disease or pollution
Who are the "Untouchables"
The best known of all Mesopotamian kings, Hammurabi conquered many city-states and created this set of 282 laws for the people.
what is the Code of Hammurabi
Egyptian society, organized like a pyramid (in order top to bottom)
Pharaoh, vizier, priests and nobles, soldiers, skilled workers, farmers, peasants, and slaves
A strict social class, determined by a person's birth. They lived, ate, married, and worked with their own group. A person born into one of these rarely moved up or down or mixed with members of other groups. There are four groups; Brahmins (spiritual leaders and teachers), Kshatriyas (warriors and nobility), Vaishyas (merchants), and the Sudras (laborers) There was an even lower group called the "untouchables"
what is the caste system
While they believed in many gods (polytheism), they also believed that the spirits of those who died watched over you and had magical powers to help or hurt you. They built little temples and shrines to honor the dead and brought gifts of food and drink to keep their ancestors' spirits happy.
what is ancestor worship
China is separated from the rest of Asia by these natural barriers, which is why they were able to maintain their customs for so long and not assimilate with other societies.
What are the Pacific Ocean (east), Himalayan Mountains (south), Gobi and Taklimakan Deserts (to the north and west)