World History Flashcards

When did the earliest Homo sapiens leave Africa?

Answer: 100,000 to 400,000 years ago

While the most significant 'Out of Africa' migration leading to global colonization occurred around 60,000-70,000 years ago, archaeological evidence suggests earlier, less successful dispersals of Homo sapiens from Africa. The broad range of 100,000 to 400,000 years ago encompasses these very earliest proposed movements, even if they did not lead to widespread settlement.

Where did the earliest Homo sapiens move?

Answer: Eurasia, Australia, and the Americas

Following their origin in Africa, Homo sapiens embarked on a global migration. They first spread into Eurasia, then successfully reached Australia, and much later crossed into the Americas, eventually populating nearly all continents. This extensive dispersal pattern is supported by archaeological and genetic evidence worldwide.

The term "hunter-gatherers" is also used to refer to

Answer: nomads

Hunter-gatherers are people who rely on foraging for wild plants and hunting wild animals for sustenance, rather than practicing agriculture. This lifestyle necessitates frequent movement in search of new food sources, making them inherently nomadic. Therefore, 'nomads' is an accurate term to describe hunter-gatherer societies.

What was a factor in the dependability of nomads?

Answer: wild plants and animals

Nomadic hunter-gatherer societies were entirely dependent on the availability of wild plants and animals for their survival. Their movements, settlements, and overall way of life were dictated by the seasonal cycles and migratory patterns of these natural resources, which served as their primary and most reliable food source.

What distinguishes a fossil from an artifact?

Answer: fossil-was once living artifact-made by living things

A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of a once-living organism, such as bones, shells, or imprints in rock. An artifact, conversely, is an object that has been made or modified by human beings, such as tools, pottery, or jewelry. The key distinction is between something naturally organic that has been preserved and something created or altered by human hands.

What does carbon dating mean?

Answer: a test archaeologists use to study and analyze fossils and artifacts

Carbon dating, specifically radiocarbon dating, is a scientific method used by archaeologists and other scientists to determine the age of organic materials. It measures the decay of the radioactive isotope Carbon-14 in once-living organisms, providing an estimated age for fossils, artifacts made from organic materials, and other archaeological finds.

In ancient river valleys, slavery was ___________.

Answer: accepted

Slavery was a widespread and deeply entrenched institution in many ancient river valley civilizations, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley. It was generally accepted as a part of the social and economic structure, with enslaved people often performing vital labor in agriculture, construction, and domestic roles.