Chapter 1 & 2

The historical view towards the Paleolithic era is that of a primitive people because of the simplicity in their lifestyle and lack of resources. But I believe because of their simplicity, they were able to live in a conflict-free society; which makes me wonder what is primitive and what is sophisticated. One historian wrote these people were the original affluent society; working fewer hours to meet their material needs. They had a need for so little, that it afforded them the luxury of time; something we all crave. For every step forward in progress that we gain in material goods, it seems there is a step backwards in the ability to live in a society free of conflict and erosion of our environment

 The small bands of gatherer-hunter were able to survive on a simple diet using tools made from stone, hence the term, the “old stone age”.  The historians recorded their presence over 200,000 years ago in Africa and they sustained here 95% of the time humans have been in existence.  They evolved as Homo sapiens, forming small bands of nomads which moved in a cyclical, seasonal manner in order to survive. Because of the Ice Age they eventually migrated out of Africa and into Eurasia about 45,000 years ago finding warmer regions.  Being on the move they began to make a more sophisticated tool which enabled these people to begin building boats which allowed migration to Australia, and Indonesia.  Because these were people of simple means they relayed their history through storytelling, cave paintings, ceremonies, and rituals. The bands of gather-hunters eventually made their way to the Americas where they began hunting mammals. Some believe the Clovis culture hunted the mammals to extinction and they were forced to hunt for bison to survive.

The final migration was into the Pacific where there was intentional colonization. These were simple people but they were smart enough to carry domestic animals, plants, and make sure both men and women made the journey which increased their colony and development. Once settling into colonies, we saw the start of change in the environment. They deliberately set fires to encourage certain plant growth, they hunted animals to extinction, and thus begins the extinction of the Neanderthals. The end to the old way of life surfaced and gatherers and hunters had become the minority.

Next we begin to see the markings of a new era, the Neolithic age, also known as the “new stone age”.  This was a significant change known as the Agricultural Revolution. This was a time of cultivation of plants and the taming and breeding of animals; these were a people that was actively changing nature. The gatherer hunters were able to settle down into communities and their numbers grew. As the number of people increased, their need for food increased and their technology for working the land and hunting animals improved. They needed to support their villages of people, so the experimentation with the cultivation of crops began.  This had a major impact on the environment; soil began to erode and crops declined. The more food they produced the harder they worked and their health began to decline.  Signs of conflict began to emerge as the pastorals that could not produce agricultural products became attracted to the farmers to take their crops. Society began to change, women still played an important role in the family, their spinning, weaving, and farming were important contributions, and some societies traced their lineage through the female, but societies began to organize into kinship groups and we can see the beginnings of status and change in gender equality.

The next era of the history of the First Civilization brings us to Cities, States, and Unequal Societies taking place 3500 B.C.E to 3000 B.C.E. This civilization is in stark contrast to that of the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras.  With the evolution of civilization in Egypt and Mesopotamia technological advancement grew along with art, culture, and trade, but for every step forward in civilization made, we see a decline in the environment, warfare, inequalities, slavery, gender oppression, and disease.

There were great advancements made during the Agriculture Revolution; through flood control, irrigation, and drainage, the farmers were able to create more fertile fields and work the land to produce more crops. With an urban revolution beginning, we see the start of politics, but there was inequality that went with it. For every competition or battle, the winners absorbed the losers, and they became the lower class in society. The wealth piled up, not out. As we see today, the elite enjoyed the privileges and those of less fortune were the common laborers. Gone were the days of gender equality, greater wealth brought status and the women were subordinate to the men. Public symbols of goddesses were now replaced by male deities. Even the development of literature brought a status distinction; those that possessed literacy had greater rank. Writing helped with math and accounting which led to the collection of taxes for the wealthy and powerful.

For me the ebb and flow of evolution brings the question, is it inevitable that increase in wealth, power, political organization causes suffering for the majority while the elite live in a lavish lifestyle?  Will there always be individual sacrifice for the development for the greater good. I am intrigued that in the simplest of times there was a respect of all people, and for every stride we make in innovation and progression of society, we seem to lose respect of the land and of the people.