How to Study Ancient History

and
The Early Farmers

CHW 3M
Questions to ask when studying ancient history
The best way to study history is to ask
questions.

But what questions should we ask?

Four Important Categories:

Communities (Civilizations)
What different civilizations existed
in ancient history?
What defined each civilization?
How did each civilization react to
challenges?
How did each civilization interact
with other societies?
Change and Continuity
What factors lead to change in
history? (eg. inventions,
revolutions)
What factors lead to stability in
history? (eg. religion, laws)
What major events caused big
things to happen in history?
Questions to ask when studying ancient history
Citizenship and Heritage
What led to political, legal, and
military traditions in history? (eg.
Moses)
What led to arts, ideas and beliefs in
history? (eg. Homer, Ovid)
How was authority established and
challenged? (eg. Caesars, Jesus)
Social, Economic and Political Structures
How did social roles develop in history?
(eg. warrior, spiritual leader)
How did economic systems develop?
(invention of farming, the wheel)
How did political systems develop?
(feudalism, democracy)

WHAT ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF
OUR SOCIETY???
Take a few minutes and brainstorm
answers to the following question:

What are the foundations or pillars
of our society?

(What makes us who we are?)
It all began in a little place called
The Fertile Crescent
The Fertile Crescent led to two
revolutions:


The Food Producing Revolution
Fertile conditions led to the first
farming practices
Led to a human population
BOOM
Made civilization possible
Surplus of food = more
people could do things other
than providing for families

The Urban Revolution
Farming led to population
boom, but big problem -
need more room for
people
Led to expansion. But
can only expand to
where there is water.
Led to Irrigation (man-made
ditches). But organized
manpower needed for this!
Led to specialized labour. With this new
form of social organization, cities and
civilization was born.
The Birth of Civilization
One more big invention:
To organize all of this social activity (especially
trade), writing was developed.
The Birth of Civilization
Civilization: a culture whose agricultural surplus has led to
labour specialization and therefore an advanced system of social
development.

This eventually included:
Social stratification
Government/political organizations
Economic development and trade
Cultural development (art and literature)
Legal organizations
Religious structures
Construction projects
Systems of record keeping