Prehistory and Ancient Civilizations: A Concise History

Prehistory

The prehistory period begins with the development of early hominids in Africa. The prehistory is traditionally divided into the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, based on stone tool technology. The Paleolithic era starts with the appearance of humans, primarily located around the great lakes of Africa, which offered a favorable climate. Paleolithic communities were small, nomadic groups with basic social structures, practicing predation (hunting and fishing). They sought shelter in caves, where rock art originated. There are two main styles: Franco-Cantabrian (large, polychrome, static, and non-compositional) and Levantine-African (abstract, monochrome, dynamic, and small).

Rock art also included portable art, such as decorated tablets, bone sticks, and figurines of women. Around 8000 BC, a significant shift in lifestyle occurred, known as the Neolithic Revolution. This involved the emergence of sedentary agriculture, livestock domestication, larger villages, and megalithic constructions. This revolution was driven by economic and climate changes, marking the end of the ice ages and a warmer climate. People lived by agriculture, crafts, and trade, using currency.

Religion was based on the worship of natural forces, weather, stars, and animals (zoolatry). They believed in the duality of good and evil.

Ancient History

Ancient history begins with the advent of writing, featuring civilizations like Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. These cultures developed in temperate zones, using writing on ceramics and papyri, particularly in the Tigris and Euphrates regions. Political organization was based on monarchies, initially elective but later hereditary.

Rome

Rome's culture was influenced by the places it conquered, transmitting its culture through a process called Romanization. The Roman Empire was succeeded by three entities: the Barbarian kingdoms, the Byzantine Empire, and the Islamic conquests.

Barbarian World

The Barbarian world emerged from the division of the Roman Empire, with groups like the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Franks, and Anglo-Saxons. These groups were accepted, establishing monarchies and allocating land, creating territorial lordships. Another process was ruralization, a shift from urban to rural life. People began to produce for self-consumption, with surpluses being sold in towns, leading to the development of shops and important buildings.

Islam

In the 14th century, the plague significantly impacted development, eliminating a third of the population. Islam emerged in 622 AD, founded by Muhammad and disseminated through the Quran. Key beliefs and principles include:

• Ramadan fasting
• Prayer five times a day
• Alms to the poor
• Holy war
• Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime