Warm-Up What is the difference between a primary and a secondary source? • Primary Source- First hand • Secondary source-second hand • Telephone Early Human Culture A Quick Overview PALEOLITHIC ERA • Old Stone Age • Begins c. 5.5—2.5 MYA • Beginning of Ice Age Lower Paleolithic • Who/Time – Australopithecus, – 5.5 MYA-2 MYA – Homo Habilis – 2 MYA-1.5 MYA Lower Paleolithic • Tools/Technology – Oldewan Tool Type • core, pebble tools • Economic System – Hunter?/gatherers Middle Paleolithic • Who/Time – Homo Erectus – 1.8 MYA-300 KYA • Tools/Technology – Acheulian Tool Type • hand axes • Economic System – Hunter/gatherers • Culture – Used fire – Shelter, caves – Hunted large game – Speech ? • (assumed at 500-800 cc brain size) Upper Paleolithic • Who/Time –Homo sapiens neanderthalensis – .5 MYA-30 KYA Neanderthals • Tools/Technology – Mousterian Tool Type • flake axes • Economic System – Hunter/gatherers Neanderthals • Culture – Made fire – Hunted in large groups – Clothing/tents? Neanderthals • Deliberate burials • Religion (alters) • Care for disabled/aged • Speech necessary Upper Paleolithic • Who/Time – Homo sapiens sapiens – Modern humans – 120 KYA-present Homo Sapiens Sapiens • Tools/Technology – Magdalinian Tool Type • blade tools, flint tools • Composite tools • Bone, wood, ivory – Cave art, fetishes 30 KYA Homo Sapiens Sapiens • Economic System – Hunter/gatherers • Culture – World travelers – Bering Straights 25KYA MESOLITHIC ERA • transition period • Middle Stone Age • 10,000BC—5,000 BC The Epic of Gilgamesh 1. Based on the presentation of Gilgamesh, how would you define the concept of heroism in Sumerian culture? 2. How would you describe the political organization of the city of Uruk? 3. How are the gods described in the poem? What is their function? How do they intervene in human affairs? 4. In the story, it is emphasized that Gilgamesh is a demigod. Why include this emphasis of his partial divinity? How does it affect his character? 5. What roles do women play in the story? What do their representations suggest about the significance of women in this ancient culture?