Difference between revisions of "*History 8 Neolithic Revolution Vocabulary"

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Pages 33-35

1. Younger Dryas

2. Great Ocean Conveyor

3. horticulture

4. gardening

5. domestication Domestication is when humans modify plants or animals from their original form to be more useful and compliant. Dogs were the very first domesticated animal. The first four domesticated farm animals were goats, sheep, pigs and cows. By domesticating animals we also changed their appearance In Catal Hyuuk they had domesticated cows, pigs, goats, and bulls. They also had shrines of animals, at least two per household. Meagan Cooper

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6. symbols

7. culture

8. Cultural Template

Culture as a body of learned behaviors common to a given human society, acts as a template, shaping behavior and consciousness within a society from generation to generation. A cultural template is in a place prior to the birth of an individual. Each culture possesses uniquely distinctive behaviors and technologies and characteristic products which distinguish them from others (Manual page 27). Here is a great wiki article to learn more about culture. [1]

9. Enculturation Acculturation

Enculturation: the process by which a person learns the traditions of their culture and comprehends its practices and values so they can become functioning members of their society. When children are born they have no knowledge of the world around them. It is a tradition that the adults teach the new children all the customs and rituals of their culture.

Acculturation: cultural refinement of an individual group, or people by adapting to or borrowing characteristics from another culture. Another way is a merging of two or more cultures as a result of prolonged communication.

http://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/encultur.htm

10. ideology

11. beliefs

12. mythology

In ancient times, myths were science. To the ancient people who created these myths, they were thought as being authentic and real. Myths were integrated into systems of religion and became part of rituals and ceremonies. Another name for myths is “sacred narratives.” In the time when myths originated, they were thought of as factual and truthful. Advances in science could change our perception of the earth so much that today’s scientific theories and laws could turn into future myths. There was a universal need for myths. Myths served many purposes in ancient times. One of their functions was to explain the inexplicable. Myths rationalize questions like “Why does the sun travel across the sky each day?” or “What happens when we die?” Without science, people created myths and supernatural beings. Although these myths evolved independently in isolated clusters of families, the myths are startlingly similar. Another purpose of myths is to justify an existing social system and to account for its rites and customs. In mythology, the actions of the gods are mirrored on earth. Also, myths strive to demonstrate moral principles, dictating how the ancient people should live their lives. Myths are the basis of morality, governments, and national identity. Often when the myths are proved wrong the societies based on those myths fall apart and there is increased crime and violence. As societies grew they began to organize their myths and other beliefs into systems of religion.(CF Manual p 37-38) N. Gonzalez

To learn more go to [2]

For example, the Egyptians worshipped Ra, the sun god, because as an agricultural society the sun was very important in their day to day lives. To help their crops grow, they devised the myth of the sun god and worshipped him to receive good fortune with their crops.

Picture from www.ra-solarsolutions.com/Ra.JPG

13. taboo According to dictionary.com, a taboo means, as an adjective, "proscribed by society as improper or unacceptable." Taboos determine how people in a society behave and respond. All cultures have different taboos, so what is acceptable in one culture might be a horrible violation of social standards. Often, taboos are based on myths, so when modern societies' taboos are based on unscientifically proven myths, they may become discredited. This disposal of old taboos can cause societies to fall to pieces since nobody tries to meet any social standards. An example of a taboo in our society would be going to a very fancy restaurant and putting your feet on the table instead of being polite. For more information: Manual pg. 38 -Claire Gorman

14. band A band is a small group of nuclear families consisting of about 25 people. They come together for protection and to benefit from everyone working together to get food. They are hunter-gatherers and do not have a sedentary lifestyle. This group of families have the smallest unit of government, where everyone specializes in what they are best at, everyone has equal access to resources, and everyone takes part in making group decisions (there is not one main leader). This is also known as an egalitarian community. For example, the person that has the most knowledge of edible plants, would lead the group when they are scavenging for food, but the person is believed to understand the gods will lead the rituals and prayers. The bands would then come together to become Chiefdoms.

For more information: Manual p. 39 -Lauren Jhin

15. tribes/chiefdoms A tribe is where all groups in the tribe have about equal status (CF Manual p39) Chiefdoms, on the other hand, were the first society to have "positions of defined, permanent leadership." (CF Manual p39) So the difference between a tribe and a chiefdom is: tribes have no social status, meaning no separation of class, while Chiefdoms have leaders, or social hierarchy including classes. [3] is a wonderful website to learn more. L. McKone

16. civilization

The political structure where "civilizations have powerful autonomous bodies of authority managed by formal bureaucracies." (CF Manual p39) The first major state societies were found in Mesopotamia (now known as Iraq), and in ancient Egypt. "A state may claim ownership of all its territory and resources and may wage wars against other nations."(CF Manual p39) A civilization is also known as a sophisticated culture set in a complex urban setting. There is social structure and the people live in large communities. The sophisticated culture has the ability to pass down through generation through the creation of writing. In a civilization there is architecture, transportation, and goods and services J. Trieschman

17. nation

The form of state where "the citizens of these states share a common identity based on a language, ideals, shared rituals, and other cultural bonds." (CF Manual p39) J. Trieschman

18. bureaucracy

As the civilizations that sprung from the towns and villages in the fertile crescent grew, they developed a need for government. As towns the government usually consisted of a Chieftain or head figure. As the towns grew they began to deal with problems like dramatic increases in population with pressing demands on housing and food supply; disputes flaring up regularly due to the close proximity of families to each other; crime and threats from both within and without. These provincial governments transformed into powerful autonomous bodies of authority managed by formal bureaucracies needed to manage a ever growing list of concerns. The people that ran the government then could use their power perform duties like enforce laws, punish law-breakers, rule over internal disputes, fight wars, and commission public works. They also where in charge of raising finance for their endeavors by demanding tribute, or taxes, from their subjects. A nation ruled by a bureaucracy like the aforementioned is called a State. Some of the first major state societies existed in the area known as Mesopotamia. One of the first examples of bureaucracy was in ancient Mesopotamia where clay counters were used to keep track of traded cargo. Shane Zerr