Neolithic - Neolithic is ...

What Neolithic?This term is derived from the Greek word "neos" (new) and "lithos" (stone).Scientists have called this term a new era in human development.In short, the Neolithic - a New Stone Age, ie the final stage of the Stone Age.But he is known to have three periods of development: basic, intermediate and new.Each of them are inherent in any special items.Scientifically these periods is called the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and finally the Neolithic.Table of primitive history clearly shows the characteristics of each.

famous English archaeologist nineteenth century Lubbock called Neolithic Paleolithic opposition - another period of the Stone Age.Its characteristic feature is the presence of ground and drill tools.

When a period of the Neolithic?

specific dates the beginning of this era one can not name because some cultures take it before others - later.The first people who stepped forward and climbed to a new stage of historical development, there were people living on the territory of the Middle East has 9.5 thousand. BC.It is associated with this period of transition from appropriating type of culture (hunting and gathering) to food production (animal husbandry, horticulture and agriculture).In the history of mankind Neolithic is considered a significant head start compared to the Mesolithic and Paleolithic.In the study of the characteristics of each of the periods of the Stone Age notice how many new things happened in the third and final period.However, on the invention of stone tools, even very cleverly and skillfully made in a given period of time, humanity has not gone.In short, the Neolithic ends exactly when to replace the stone tools come metal.After that, as you know, come the bronze, iron, and other centuries.Yet still there are nations in the world (American tribes and the inhabitants of the islands of Oceania), which is not yet passed from the Neolithic to the Iron Age.And if you come out of this, then we can say that this period is not yet fully completed for mankind as a whole.In short, neither the Iron Age, or Neolithic - is not chronological periods.As for our region, here, this stage began around the fifth millennium BC and lasted until the third, that is about 2,000 years old.

What gave mankind Neolithic?

Yes, a lot of things.For example, tools though they were made of stone, but were not as primitive as in the Paleolithic and Mesolithic.They are polished, making the edges appear smoother and sharper on the need for them to drill holes (primitive millstone).Neolithic people were also engaged in weaving and produced for himself just clothes and blankets, those who lived near rivers and lakes, engaged in catching fish and other inhabitants of reservoirs.Stocks of fish as well as meat, produced by the hunt, along with nuts, berries and different roots allowed primitive people for a while to stay in one place, that is, from turning into nomads settled.And this, in turn, led to the construction of the first small towns and then cities.Sedentary also contributed to the emergence of ceramics and pottery.The first attempts to use clay as a material for making dishes and other utensils made on the Middle East, in the villages of Jarmo, Çatalhöyük and Hacılar.But in the Far East was good Jomon culture.Residents of the area are not only began to make and use pottery, but also brought some varieties of garden and vegetable plants.As for the European part, in the early stages only in Greece existed neolithic tribes.

The oldest city in the world, originated in the Neolithic

As already mentioned, the construction of the first towns began precisely during Stone Age.The oldest of them was Jericho.This happened at the end of the Mesolithic and the beginning of the Neolithic.The city is built on the banks of the Jordan River, in what is now Palestine.During the construction of the first towns special emphasis on siege fortifications.And it says that in those days wars were fought between the cities.Consequently, the regular armies were formed, which were allocated military officials.In short, the Neolithic - a period when the first civilizations were born, as well as major population centers - the walled city.

Neolithic Revolution

Indeed, what happened during this historical period can be called a revolution.The first is the transition from foraging to the producing economy, the emergence of pottery (for the first time in the early Japanese culture), the emergence of cities, the formation of a professional army, engaged in fishing and agriculture, and others.

Stage Neolithic

Scientists are threethe period of development of this era: early, middle and late.As noted above, should be attributed to the early region in the Middle and Far East, and in the European part - Greece.The middle Neolithic pottery is the development in Eastern Europe and in China.The third and last stage - Late Neolithic.Is a hotbed of development of the area, located on the territory of modern China.

Features of life in the era of "Stone Age"

transition to a sedentary lifestyle has led to the fact that people began to build a strong and stable home.With the development of ceramics and pottery for the construction of their primitive homes early humans began to make the clay blocks.These houses were built next to each other.So began to appear tribal communities.Near the settlement began to cultivate the land, to have a supply of food.There was the domestication of certain species of animals, which has led to the development of animal husbandry.Another branch of the national economy, which was born and developed in the Neolithic period - handicraft.For the inhabitants of the newly nucleated settlements, which later turned into the city, it was necessary to manufacture a variety of products: household stuff, parts of clothing, primitive furniture, ornaments and so on. D. By the way, an important feature of the Neolithic period is the emergence of weaving.Of course, this did not happen immediately.Before that, people have learned to weave baskets and fishing nets.

Exchange

in each of the tribes stood artisans who are best able to manufacture some specific items.That is, they were regarded as masters of their craft, and began to prepare these items not only for their compatriots, but also for the neighboring tribes.Thus arose the concept of bartering.

Flint - the main types of stone in the Neolithic

This breed people of this historical period, was mined in two ways: collect on the surface in the river valleys and production in mines that was the start of mining.Treated flint to create tools in several ways: retouch, bilateral upholstery, chips and so on. D. Later masters are developing new techniques, namely milling, grinding and sawing.With the help of these techniques are beginning to master gunsmiths produce cold steel.This tip is used for the bone.Knives combine both bone and flint items.Other items that gave rise to the Neolithic - age of new stone tools - are axes, chisels, adze, chisel and other. With the advent of the ax people were able to build boats, rafts, wooden houses, and so on. D.

Art

People Neolithic alsogravitated to art.The images taken during this period, there is the awakening of human mental activity.It could be considered fine art paintings devoted to the description of the wars.Rock painting tells about the events that occurred in that era.Particularly interesting are the drawings found on the territory of modern Norway.Here, images of people and animals schematic that shows an abstract thinking.Some items are displayed in the form of geometric shapes, that is, they mean these items, but did not pass them exactly.

Conclusion

Neolithic - New Stone Age, the last period before people invented iron tools from the Stone Age to the Bronze crossed.