Unit 1
The unit begins discussing briefly the myths developed by humans to explain their origins and to define the meaning and purpose of life, the unit will concentrate on archaeology and paleoanthropology to explain what we know about the evolution of humans through the onset of the domestication of animals.We will look at the transition from hunting and gathering societies to the successful establishment of the seven primary centers of civilization which are the focus of these chapters (Sumer, Egypt, the Indus Valley, China, the Niger River valley, Mesoamerica, and the South American coastal plain).
This unit will begin a discussion on the development of the empires which emerged in many of the areas of primary urbanization in the ancient world. Regardless of location or pre-existing culture, empires shared common traits: strong military, central administration, systems of taxation, control of commerce, and significant uniformity of language, weights and money. The unit will explain how each empire fits the criteria of empire and carried out the tasks which all empires faced.