History of Early Civilizations

Using the Marxist historical model, explain what life was like for humans during the Paleolithic Era and how did the move to agriculture during the Neolithic Era change this way of life? Does Clark Spencer Larsen see this transition from food collection to food production as having a positive impact on human health and society or a negative impact? What factors gave rise to early civilizations and what were some of the key socioeconomic and political characteristics that defined them? What can we learn about Babylonian civilization in ancient Mesopotamia from the content of the primary source below? All while covering the topics of: Topic 3 Presentation: Cognition, Language, and a Cultural Species (relevant content) Article: Neanderthal Extinction and Modern Human Behaviour Primary Source: The Cave of Altamira Other Sources: "World History" Chapter pages 1-11 Topic 4 Presentation: Cultivation and its Consequences content (relevant content) Article: Biological Changes in Human Populations with Agriculture Primary Source: Çatalhöyük Field Report Other Sources: "World History" Chapter pages 12-20 Topic 5 Presentation Part I: The Early State and the Sources of Social Power (relevant content) Topic 5 Presentation Part II: A New Technology (relevant content) Primary Source: The Law Code of Hammurabi Other Sources: "World History" Chapter 2 World History Book link: [login to view URL]