Tobias Patrick

169037588
Ancient History in Global Context
Mid-Term Exam
Part 2, Question 1: 520 words
Question 2: 418 words
Ecology: Ecology is the study of organisms and how they interact with the environment around

them. A person who studies ecology is called an ecologist. An ecologist studies the relationship

between living things (inanimate or animate) and their habitats.

Demography: Demography is the study of populations that deal with the biological aspects of

life such as birth, death, and reproduction. Demographers investigate three main demographic

processes: birth, migration, and aging (including death).

Emic: Emic in the context of anthropology is the study of a particular language or culture in

terms of its internal elements and their functioning rather than in terms of any existing

framework. The “emic” approach aims to understand the cultural meaning and significance of a

particular behaviour or practice

Agriculture: Agriculture is the science/practice of farming. Including cultivation of the soil for

growing crops and raising animals to provide food and clothing. The first agriculture emerged

12,000 years ago in the fertile crescent. Agriculture also provided a much higher return in energy

in relation to hunting.

Fertile Crescent: Often referred to as “the cradle of civilization” is the crescent-shaped region

that spans the modern-day countries of Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and

Egypt. Populations in the fertile crescent were the first to develop agriculture. In the surrounding

areas of the fertile crescent, wild varieties of our most important domestic species, including the

pig, sheep, goat, cow, and donkey were domesticated.

The city-state was not only a place but also a community of citizens. In most city-states, power

was linked to institutions rather than the power of individuals.

Empire: An empire is a major political unit having a territory with many smaller territories under

a single sovereign authority. Large and multiethnic territorial states are called “empires”.

Primary Source: In a historical context, a primary source (also known as an original source) is

an artifact, document, diary, manuscript, autobiography, recording, or any other source of

information that was created at the time under study.

Social Stratification: Social stratification is used to describe the relative social position in each

social group. Social stratification is commonly found in developed societies. Social stratification

can be defined in three social classes: the upper class, the middle class, and the lower class.

Egalitarian: An egalitarian believes that all people are equally important and should have equal

rights. Karl Marx used egalitarianism as the starting point in the creation of his Marxist

philosophy. Egalitarianism considers ways to reduce economic equality. It can also be seen from

a political perspective which considers ways to ensure the equal treatment and rights of diverse

groups of people.
 How and where did agriculture start and how did it change life and society in ancient

times?

Agriculture is a cornerstone of human civilization, allowing for the growth and

development of societies beyond hunting and gathering. Agriculture emerged independently in

multiple regions around the world, including the Fertile Crescent in the middle east, the Yangtze

and Yellow River valleys of China, and the Indus Valley of South Asia among others.

The origins of agriculture can be traced back to the Neolithic period, roughly 10,000

years ago. Prior to this, humanity relied heavily on hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plants for

sustenance. However, as human populations grew, these methods of food procurement became

unsustainable. Agriculture, which involves the domestication and cultivation of plants and

animals, provided a more reliable and consistent source of food. One of the earliest regions

where agriculture was believed to have emerged was in the Fertile Crescent, a fertile region in

the Middle East that stretches from the Nile River Valley in Egypt to the Tigris and Euphrates

rivers in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). The Fertile Crescent was home to some of the earliest

known civilizations such as the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. These societies

developed complex agricultural systems that allowed them to support large populations and

develop sophisticated urban centers. In the Fertile Crescent, early farmers domesticated several

plants and animals that are wildly cultivated today. Some of the earliest domesticated crops

include wheat, barley, and lentils while domesticated animals included sheep, goats, and pigs.

With the development of agriculture, farmers were able to produce surplus food, which allowed

for the growth of trade and commerce. This surplus also supported the development of
specialized occupations, such as craftsmen, traders, and soldiers, who were able to devote their

time and energy to non-agricultural pursuits.

Prior to agriculture, human societies were relatively small and mobile, with individuals

and families living in small groups that moved frequently in the search of food. With the

development of agriculture, societies became more settled and complex, with larger populations

living in permanent settlements. This led to the development of urban centers and the emergence

of early civilizations, which were characterized by complex social structures, centralized

political systems, and advanced technologies. One of the most significant impacts of agriculture

was the development of social inequality. With the development of surplus food production,

some individuals and groups were able to accumulate wealth and power, while others were left

behind. This led to the development of social hierarchies and the emergence of a ruling class that

controlled the resources and the means of production. The development of agriculture also had a

significant impact on the environment. As human populations grew and agriculture became more

intensive, natural habitats were transformed into agricultural land, leading to the destruction of

forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems.

In conclusion, agriculture played a critical role in the development of human civilization.

It allowed for the growth of settled societies, the development of specialized occupations, and the

emergence of early civilization. However, it also had significant impacts on social inequality, the

environment, and the development of complex technologies. Today, agriculture continues to be a

vital component of human society, providing food and livelihoods for billions of people around

the world.
 How did Homo Sapiens spread and why do you think they spread so efficiently and

became the dominant type of humans?

Homo sapiens are the only surviving species of the genus Homo. They are believed to

have emerged in Africa around 350,000 years ago and eventually spread across the globe,

becoming the dominant type of humans. The spread of Homo sapiens is a complex and

multicultural phenomenon that involves a combination of factors, including biological, cultural,

environmental, and technological factors.

One of the key factors that contributed to the spread of Homo sapiens is their ability to

adapt to a variety of environments. Unlike other hominins, such as Neanderthals, who thrived in

cold and harsh environments, Homo sapiens were able to thrive in a range of climates and

habitats. This adaptability was partly due to their unique physical and biological characteristics,

such as their large brains, flexible and efficient vocal tracts, and advanced cognitive abilities,

which allowed them to innovate and develop new inventions to survive and thrive in different

environments. Another important factor that contributed to the spread of Homo sapiens was their

sophisticated cultural and social systems. Homo sapiens is unique among hominins in their

capacity for symbolic thought and cultural transmission, which allowed them to create and share

complex cultural practices such as language, art, music, and religion. These cultural practices not

only helped Homo sapiens to communicate and cooperate with each other but also helped them

to develop a sense of identity and belonging that transcended local and regional boundaries.

The development of new technologies also played a crucial role in the spread of homo

sapiens. Homo sapiens were among the first hominins to use fire, which allowed them to cook

food, stay warm, and ward off predators. They also developed a wide range of stone tools and

weapons such as spear points, knives, and scrapers, which enabled them to hunt, gather and
process food more efficiently. Later, they developed more sophisticated tools and technologies,

such as pottery, agriculture, metallurgy, and writing, which facilitated the growth of complex

societies and civilizations.

In conclusion, the emergence and spread of Homo sapiens was a complex and

multifaceted process that was facilitated by a range of factors, including their adaptability,

communication skills, technological advances, and ability to collaborate. While the road to

dominance was not without its challenges, Homo sapiens were able to overcome them and

establish themselves as the dominant type of human. As we continue to study the evolution and

spread of our species, we gain a deeper appreciation for the incredible accomplishments and

challenges that our early ancestors faced.

Footnotes

(Education. nationalgeographic.org)

- Ecology

(Demogr. Mpg. De)

- What is demography?

(En.wikipedia.org)

- Emic and Etic

(languages.oup.com)

- Agriculture

(News. Uchicago. Edu)

- The fertile crescent explained.

(languages.oup.com)
 - City states

(Merriam-webster.com)

- Empire

(en.wikipedia.org)

- Primary source

(en.wikipedia.org)

- Social Stratification

(Investopedia.com)

- Egalitarianism: definition, ideas, and types

Arnold , Ariel. “The Evolution: Homo Sapiens.” Humans, https://vocal.media/humans/the-

Price, T. D., & Bar-Yosef, O. (2011). The Origins of Agriculture: New Data, New Ideas: An
Introduction to Supplement 4. Current Anthropology, 52(S4), S163–S174.
https://doi.org/10.1086/659964