Reflection: Early Civilization

            Taking a look at the earliest of humankind makes one think about where we came from and how we came to be who we are. Whether an early farmer or a Pharaoh, civilizations have been evolving for thousands of years.

Some of the very first Homo sapiens to evolve into a community focused on their very primitive needs to survive. They did this by hunting large animals, gathering fruits and berries, building shelter, and organizing a workable social order as to ensure that they continued to have their needs met. Technology developed as the needs of our ancient ancestors evolved. The first use of boats and the use of ocean canoes and fishing gear led to the use of trade to make sure each community survived. Communities traded everything from feathers and stones, to herbs and grains. While trading aided in survival of some, some societies were unable to survive and disappeared throughout history.  Men and women divided the workload with women gathering and men responsible for hunting. These roles were relatively equal in rank. 

From the Paleolithic way of life came the Neolithic way. In the new Neolithic society, farming emerged and humans were learning how to manipulate the earth according to their needs.  This idea that the earth is for “our” taking is at the core of controversial ideals of how mankind evolved. As noted in our text, “And so was launched the continuing human effort to “subdue the earth” and to “have dominion over it”, as the biblical story in Genesis recorded God’s command to Adam and Eve.” (p. 27, Strayer) Embellishing the idea that humans can mold and manipulate the earth, farming grew to become not only a way of nourishing the communities, but also an economic platform for years to come. The agricultural revolution coincided with the end of the last ice age due to climate changes, and population began to increase dramatically because of these new conditions.

While farming did have its benefits, it also had its lessons. The physical labor and hard work required to farm led to deteriorating health and shorter life span.  I believe it was this hard work that led to the division of class amongst these villages. The higher up in the social ranks you sat, the less work you had to do. This era saw the first uses of slavery.

While some of the most basic yet necessary aspects to our modern day society grew from our early ancestors, so did some of the current social turmoil we see and have seen throughout history. The author of our text notes, “In popular usage, “civilization” suggests refined behavior, a “higher” form of society, something unreservedly positive. The opposite of civilized- “barbarian”, “savage”, or “uncivilized”- is normally understood as an insult implying inferiority.” (p. 89, Strayer) While those in the Neolithic society may regard their early ancestors from the Paleolithic time as uncivilized and primitive with how their communities were run, I believe that quite often, we found the behavior that was exhibited and developed by the Neolithic era to be much more uncivilized despite the evolvement of technology and the developmental beginnings of language and mathematics.