Early Humans & First Civilizations
People who moved from place to place for food
What are nomads?
“Land between two rivers”
What is Mesopotamia?
Country where the Yellow River is located
What is China?
A large area ruled by one leader
What is an empire?
Civilization known for pyramids in Mesoamerica
Who are the Maya?
The shift from hunting/gathering to farming
What is the Agricultural Revolution?
River central to Egyptian civilization
What is the Nile River?
Ancient Indian social system
What is the caste system?
Famous trade route connecting Asia and Europe
What is the Silk Road?
What did the Maya create to track time?
A calendar
Why did early humans begin settling in one place?
Farming required staying in one location
Mesopotamian writing system
What is cuneiform?
Greek city-state known for democracy
What is Athens?
Why did empires build roads?
To move armies, goods, and information
Where did the Maya live?
Central America / Mesoamerica
What is a civilization?
A society with cities, government, writing, and culture (GRAPES)
Egyptian writing system
What are hieroglyphics?
What is philosophy?
The study of ideas about life and knowledge
What is trade?
The exchange of goods and services
Why were Maya cities often in the jungle?
Access to resources like water and food
Why are rivers important to early civilizations?
Water, food, fertile soil, transportation
Why did the Nile flood help Egypt?
It deposited fertile soil for farming
How did geography affect Greece?
Mountains separated city-states and influenced trade and surrounded by water
How did trade spread ideas?
People shared religion, technology, and culture
What caused Maya decline?
Environmental issues, warfare, resource strain