Chapter 2: The Earliest Human Societies
The Internet offers a range of social studies resources, including Web sites of museums, government agencies, educational institutions, and the news media. Listed below are links to some outstanding ancient history Web sites. Use them to learn more about the themes, ideas, and events in the lessons and the Daily Life feature in this chapter.
Lesson 1: Hunters and Gatherers
- Stone Age Habitats
- A Pennsylvania State University site that covers the shelters and ways of life of prehistoric peoples. Includes many illustrations of early habitats.
- http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/w/x/wxk116/habitat/
- Technology Throughout History: The Stone Age
- A brief overview of tools used during the Stone Age that is part of the Introduction to Technology program of the Bergen County Technical Schools in New Jersey.
- http://www.bergen.org/technology/stone.html
Lesson 2: Learning to Farm and Raise Animals
- Emergence of Agriculture
- A Washington State University site that covers all aspects of early agriculture, including technology.
- http://www.wsu.edu/gened/learn-modules/top_agrev/4-Agriculture/agriculture1.html
- “How Does Your Garden Grow?”
- This Rice University School Science and Technology site discusses the history of agriculture, the development of towns and cities, and early farming techniques. A little text-heavy but written in an easy-to-understand conversational tone.
- http://schoolscience.rice.edu/duker/garden/gardenhis.html
Lesson 3: The First Communities
- The First Villages
- A brief overview of the characteristics of an early complex village, concentrating on the ancient farming village of Catal Huyuk.
- http://users.hol.gr/~dilos/prehis/prerm5.htm
- History of Food and Agriculture Site from the Agropolis-Museum in France presents a step-by-step survey of the development of agriculture beginning about 10,000 years ago. http://museum.agropolis.fr/english/pages/expos/fresque/la_fresque.htm
Daily Life: Living in a Complex Village
- Neolithic Çatalhöyük
- A tour and discussion of the excavations at Catal Huyuk by the archaeological team working the site.
- http://www.catalhoyuk.com
- Mysteries of Çatalhöyük
- An interactive exhibit on Catal Huyuk designed for students by the Science Museum of Minnesota.
- http://www.smm.org/catal/