The document summarizes the major periods of human cultural evolution from the Paleolithic period to modern times. It discusses the transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural settlements and states. Key developments included the use of fire in the Paleolithic, the domestication of plants and animals in the Neolithic, and the rise of metal tools and weapons in the Metal Age. Ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt featured independent city-states, religious structures like ziggurats, and powerful rulers like pharaohs. Modern states and civilizations have continued to evolve, with the rise of democracies being a major trend in the transition from authoritarian regimes.

1. HUMAN
CULTURAL
EVOLUTION

2. HUMAN HAS NO
CONTENTMENT

3. Palaeolithic Period
• “palaios” – old; “lithos” – stone
• Also referred to as the Old Stone
Age or Ice Age
• People were nomads and able to
use simple tools and weapons
made of unpolished stone.
• Discovered fire – using stone
(protection for cold temp. and for
cooking)
• Small societies

4. Neolithic Period
• “neo” – new; “lithos” – stone
• New stone age; First
agricultural revolution
• Crafts as pottery and
weaving
• Developed boats
• Sedentary type of society –
villages and towns

5. Metal Age
• Three Stages: Copper Age,
Bronze Age, Iron Age
• Agricultural tools, military
weapons, household
utensils
• Tribes, empires, and state
were recognized

6. Comparing the Periods
• Paleolithic Age
• Unpolished stone
tools
• Hunting and
gathering
• Nomadic way of
living
• Neolithic Age
• Polished stone tools
• Domestication of
plants and animals
• Living in permanent
places
• Metal Age
• Use of metals
• Tribes, empires and
state
• Civilization

7. Ancient State and
Civilization: Mesopotamia
• Every City in Mesopotamia had its
own government, rulers, warrior,
patron god, and functioned like an
independent country.
• Mesopotamian cities: Ur, Uruk,
Kish, and Lagesh
• Ziggurat – a massive, tiered,
pyramid shaped structure located
at the center of each society –
temple
• Military commanders became
monarchs - Dynasty

9. Ancient State and
Civilization: Egypt
• Ancient Egyptians lived near
the Nile River
• Egyptian King – “Pharaoh”
• He passed laws
• Ruled the country
• Owned most of the land
• Controlled trade and led
the armies
• Pharaohs - gods

11. Modern State and
Civilization
• Spain, 1942 – Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella took
Spain back from the Muslim (Era of Spain)
• In France, Louis XIV created an absolute monarchy.
• In 1914, World War I
• In 1939, World War II
• In 1945, End of WWII led to the formation of United Nations.

12. State of People: Democratic State
Democratization is the transition to a
more democratic political regime.
Transition from an Authoritarian
regime to a full Democracy

13. Types of
Democracy
• (1) a representative democracy – system
where citizens choose government
representatives among their citizens.
• direct democracy – when citizens form a
governing body and vote directly on issues
• constitutional democracy limits the powers
of the government through the nation’s
constitution