World History

1. UNIT 1.1 – PRE HISTORY & HISTORY: ANCIENT-MEDIEVAL-MODERN TIME &
EVOLUTION OF SOCIETIES

2. 1. Definition of History
History is the discipline in which research
is undertaken about past events/ people/
societies/ problems of the past.
Adapted from Source: Khanacademy.org
Web Page: Prehistory before written records
URL: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/world-history-
beginnings/origin-humans-early-societies/a/learning-about-prehistory-article

3. 2. Significance of World History
- Linking Dot Theory proposed by Steve Jobs:
You cannot connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect
them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will
somehow connect in your future.
- Saying of Chinese Philosopher; Confucius:
Study the past if you would divine the future.
- Better understanding of the world.
- Gain knowledge of historical events.

4. 2. Significance of World History
- Learn lessons from history (avoid previous mistakes and prevent misdeeds)
- Analyze occurrence of paradigm shift in society (how do the things change,
what are the causes of change, what elements of a society persist despite
change)
- Provide moral understanding (study of individuals provide insights and how did
they survive in difficult times so we can test our character/ moral sense)
- Foster Critical Thinking

5. 3. Difference b/w Pre-History & History
- Difference lies in the existence of records.
- Pre-History: It means before History. Time period when writing was not
invented.
- History: It refers to written records of the past.

6. 4. Evolution of Societies
Pre
History
STONE
AGE
IRON
AGE
BRONZE
AGE

7. 4. Evolution of Societies
(Stone Age)
- It was present 2.5 million years ago in Africa.
- This age ended 5000 years age.
- The now-extinct species Neanderthals used to live in this age.
- Early humans lived in nomadic groups.
- Hunting animals was the main source of food along with fish, seeds, nuts, fruits,
vegetables, grass.
- Early humans used clay pots to cook and store food.
- Movies: Ice Age series & The Croods

8. 4. Evolution of Societies
(Stone Age)
- Ancient humans used primitive stones and toolkits (hammer stones, axes,
Bones, ivory needles, antler, awls, scrapers, chisels, harpoon points)

9. 4. Evolution of Societies
(Stone Toolkit)
- Used for cutting, scraping, chopping
- Also known as Oldowan tools.
- Fossils remains are found in Ethopia, Gona
- Date back to 2.6 million years ago.
SHARPENED STONES

10. 4. Evolution of Societies
(Stone Toolkit)
- Also known as Acheulean Tools.
- Date back to 1.6 million years ago.
- Fossils are found in Southern Africa,
- Indian sub-continent and northern Europe.
STONE HANDAXE

11. 4. Evolution of Societies
(Stone Toolkit)
- Date back to 80,000 years ago.
- Efficient for cutting.
CUTTING BLADES

12. 4. Evolution of Societies
(Stone Toolkit)
- Date back to 17,000 years ago.
- Shaped into geometrical forms, triangles, crescent
- Used for food preparation and as weapons.
MICRO BLADES

13. 4. Evolution of Societies
(Stone Toolkit)
- Date back to 12,000 years ago.
- Produced by grinding and polishing stones
- Easy to sharpen when they become dull.
CHISELS/ CELTS

14. 4. Evolution of Societies
(Collapse of Stone Age)
Use of stones were replaced by better metals like; copper, tin and bronze and it
gave rise to Bronze Age.

15. 4. Evolution of Societies
(Bronze Age)
- Date back to 3300 BC to 1200 BC.
- First writing system was introduced (China and Near East developed the first
system of writing)
- Use of metals like; copper, tin and bronze started.
- Invention of wheel.
- Foundation of mathematics and astronomy was laid down.
- Rise of states. Kingdoms
- Large societies governed by central government.
- Interaction between states took place through trade, migration, war, exchange
of ideas.

16. 4. Evolution of Societies
(Bronze Age Civilizations)
- Native are known as Sumerian.
- Sumerians were the first one to use bronze
- Natives used levees and canals for irrigation.
- Natives built large stepped pyramid temples.
- Invented cuneiform script which is one of the earliest forms of writing.
SUMER

17. 4. Evolution of Societies
(Bronze Age Civilizations)
BABYLONIA
- It is known as present day Iraq.
- It was fist occupied by people known as Amorites.
- The King of Amorite developed world’s most complete legal codes.
- It became the home of religious figures, scholars and Conquerors.
- It was one of the powerful and wealthy city of the Ancient world.

18. 4. Evolution of Societies
(Bronze Age Civilizations)
MESOPOTAMIA
- In Greek, Mesopotamia means between two rivers i.s. The Tigris and the
Euphrates.
- It constitutes modern day Iraq, Turkey, Kuwait, Syria.
- Many important inventions took place (demarcation of time into hours, minutes
and seconds, advancement in mathematics, building of sailboats, invention of
maps)
- It housed diverse cultures i.e it produced multiple empires rather than single
civilization that’s why it is also known as ‘’Cradle of Civilizations’’
- The occupation of the natives were: farmers, potter, shoemaker, healer, artisan,
fisherman, priest and teacher.
- Women used to enjoy equal rights and could own their businesses/ land, make
trade contracts and file for divorce.

19. 4. Evolution of Societies
(Collapse of Bronze Age)
- Bronze Age collapsed and gave birth to Iron Age.
- Disruption in trade routes due to famine, earthquakes, socio-political unrest led
to shortage of copper, tin and bronze.

20. 4. Evolution of Societies
(Iron Age)
- Date back from 1200 BC to 600 BC
- Ancient humans started to use iron and steel as a metal to make tools and
weapons.
- The increased use of iron brought improvement in agriculture and military
activities.

21. Resources & References
Reading material:
William J. Duiker & Jackson J. Spielvogel , The Essential World History
(Cengage Learning, 2016).
Thomas F. X. Noble, Barry Strauss, Duane Osheim, Kristen Neuschel & Elinor
Accampo, Western Civilization: Beyond Boundaries (Cengage Learning, 2013).
Images:
 Google Search engine
https://www.history.com/news/prehistoric-ages-timeline

22. Resources & References
Web:
https://bighistory.org/whatisbighistory/
https://www.history.com/topics/pre-history

23. Resources & References
You tube Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8183HPmA2_I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq6be-
CZJ3w&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtMczXZUmjb3mZSU1Roxnrey