The Americas and Africa were not nearly as populated as Eurasia in the Classical Era. Due to this population imbalance historians focused less on early Africa and America. This caused me to wonder why, what is the cause of this difference. Eurasia made up over eighty percent of the entire worlds population in the Classical Era, whereas Africa and the Americas only made up ten to fifteen percent of the worlds population. There were many environmental and technological reasons for this difference.
One of the main reasons for the difference in population was in Africa and America there was a lack of animals available for domestication. With this, there was not as much food, nor animals to be trained and ready to pull a plow for agriculture or to help transport things over large distances. Eurasia was able to do all of these things because of live stock, horses and other animals. However, because Africa was so close to Eurasia, it was not long until these animals were in use in Africa.
Several technological differences were holding back some of the African and American civilizations from advancement. The civilizations in Africa and America did not have the tools that Eurasian settlements had because of a less developed system of Metallurgy. Weapons and Tools made of iron that very very important in the development of Eurasian civilizations were not around in early African and American civilization.
One of the things that advanced the society of Eurasian civilizations the most was a complex system of writing. African and American civilizations had forms of writing but they were not as effective or widespread as Eurasian writing. Without a form of communication advancement of a culture was very difficult.
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 2009. Print.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Norse Discovery of North America
Since we haven’t discussed the Americas in class I thought I would talk about its discovery. Growing up everyone has learned that Christopher Columbus discovered America. We say discovered although there was already Native Americans living in the Americas. We say it because most of Europe didn’t know about the Americas. It seems that another group of Europeans beat Columbus to the Americas and that would be the Norse.
The Norse were led by Leif Erickson and made their discovery around 1000. This is approximately 500 years before Columbus discovered the Bahamas. The Norse spotted land west of Greenland in 986 when Bjarni Herjolfsson left Iceland to reach a settlement on Greenland but because of high winds and fog lost his course. He spotted land that was unlike the description of Greenland and corrected his course back east eventually making it to Greenland without landing in North America.
Leif Erickson very interested in Bjarni’s story left Greenland in search of these new lands. Erickson explored the coast and eventually founded a small settlement where they stayed a winter. They called the new land Vinland because of the grape vines that were growing there. In the spring they returned to Greenland.
The archaeological site of L'Anse aux Meadows is believed to be an attempted colony by Leif Erickson and the Norse in 1003. At this site many Norse objects have been found and carbon dating estimates the date around 1000. A list and pictures of these objects can be found at http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/vinland.html
It is believed that the colony failed due to the same problems found in Greenland. The climate got colder and the colonies could no longer sustain themselves with agriculture. The colonies simply vanished in Greenland and must have also failed in North America.
It is very interesting that this is not common knowledge among students growing up in North America. Although research is still being done knowledge of the Norse discovery is being more commonly accepted.
Information found at
http://news.softpedia.com/news/How-Did-Vikings-Discover-America-49891.shtml
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/vinland.html
The Norse were led by Leif Erickson and made their discovery around 1000. This is approximately 500 years before Columbus discovered the Bahamas. The Norse spotted land west of Greenland in 986 when Bjarni Herjolfsson left Iceland to reach a settlement on Greenland but because of high winds and fog lost his course. He spotted land that was unlike the description of Greenland and corrected his course back east eventually making it to Greenland without landing in North America.
Leif Erickson very interested in Bjarni’s story left Greenland in search of these new lands. Erickson explored the coast and eventually founded a small settlement where they stayed a winter. They called the new land Vinland because of the grape vines that were growing there. In the spring they returned to Greenland.
The archaeological site of L'Anse aux Meadows is believed to be an attempted colony by Leif Erickson and the Norse in 1003. At this site many Norse objects have been found and carbon dating estimates the date around 1000. A list and pictures of these objects can be found at http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/vinland.html
It is believed that the colony failed due to the same problems found in Greenland. The climate got colder and the colonies could no longer sustain themselves with agriculture. The colonies simply vanished in Greenland and must have also failed in North America.
It is very interesting that this is not common knowledge among students growing up in North America. Although research is still being done knowledge of the Norse discovery is being more commonly accepted.
Information found at
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/vinland.html
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Jenne-jeno
Jenne-jeno is one of the oldest cities of sub-Saharan Africa that historians know about today. Inhabitants lived in the civilization as early as 300 BCE. By 900 CE, it had expanded to become one of the largest urban centers of the region, with at one point more than forty thousand people.
The civilization, which was located near the Niger River, attracted migrants who were in search of a dependable water supply. They brought their domesticated animals, their skills, and their iron technology to the region.
Jenne-jeno did not have an organized class structure like the Egyptians or Romans. Instead, they lived in equality without any political authority or warfare. They built many settlements that surrounded a middle city. These smaller settlements specialized in different trades, for example iron smiths, potters, and leather workers. Eventually these occupational groups became segregated. Parents would teach their children the family job, and children only married within their group. Some groups shared services with each other, but still remained physically separated.
Although the Niger provided nutrients for agriculture and clay for pottery, it did not provide other resources such as iron and fuel. This led to a large system of trade throughout West Africa. They used boats to travel the Niger and donkeys to travel by land. The people of Jenne-jeno traded grain, fish, and meats in return for salt, iron, and copper.
Eventually, a cultural shift occurred. Larger empires emerged and West Africa became connected with North America and Islam. However, parts of the culture and life style of the Niger Valley remain today.
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 2009. Print.
The civilization, which was located near the Niger River, attracted migrants who were in search of a dependable water supply. They brought their domesticated animals, their skills, and their iron technology to the region.
Jenne-jeno did not have an organized class structure like the Egyptians or Romans. Instead, they lived in equality without any political authority or warfare. They built many settlements that surrounded a middle city. These smaller settlements specialized in different trades, for example iron smiths, potters, and leather workers. Eventually these occupational groups became segregated. Parents would teach their children the family job, and children only married within their group. Some groups shared services with each other, but still remained physically separated.
Although the Niger provided nutrients for agriculture and clay for pottery, it did not provide other resources such as iron and fuel. This led to a large system of trade throughout West Africa. They used boats to travel the Niger and donkeys to travel by land. The people of Jenne-jeno traded grain, fish, and meats in return for salt, iron, and copper.
Eventually, a cultural shift occurred. Larger empires emerged and West Africa became connected with North America and Islam. However, parts of the culture and life style of the Niger Valley remain today.
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 2009. Print.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Teotihuacan
At about the same time as the great Mayan civilizations of southern Mesoamerica there was another great city thriving. This city, known as Teotihuacan, was to the north of the Mayan civilizations in the Valley of Mexico. It is believed that the city was founded around 150 BCE and was actually built to a plan instead of evolving unsystematically like most other cities. By the year 550Ce the city had expanded to take up about eight square miles and had a population, which has been estimated at from 100,000 to 200,000. This made it easily the largest city in America at the time and also one of the six biggest cities in the world.
Unfortunately there is also quite a bit that is not known about the city, including the original name of the city, language which was spoken by its citizens, or what kind of government was in place in the city. We do know, though, that it was, physically, very large and impressive. The city was built with broad avenues, big marketplaces, large plazas, palaces, and marketplaces. There was a main boulevard which went through the city, now known as the Street of the Dead. Along this street there were the majestic homes of the elite, the headquarters of the authorities of the state, many temples, as well as two giant pyramids. One pyramid was known as the Pyramid of the Sun, while the other was known as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. It is believed by many people that the citizens of this Teotihuacan believed that the Pyramid of the Sun was the site of creation itself, birthplace of the sun and moon. In the Temple of Feathered Serpents archeologists have found the bones of 200 people who were apparently unwilling sacrificial victims that were forced to accompany the high ranking individuals that were buried there into the after life. The city also contained thousands of apartment complexes which were built of the main avenues in a gridlike pattern of streets. These apartments were home to the commoners that called this city home.
Besides all of these great buildings, the city also contained waterways, reservoirs, drainage systems, and many colorful murals. The buildings of the city were all decorated with these murals, as well as sculptures, and carvings. Most of these pieces of art work displayed abstract geometric and stylized images, while others portrayed gods and goddesses in many different forms, such as serpents, starfish, jaguars, flower, and warriors. The artwork found in Teotihuacan was not like that of the Mayan civilizations though because it did not contain many images of self adoring rulers and individuals. Many people believe that “the rulers of Teotihuacan might have intentionally avoided the personality cult of the dynastic art and writing” which was characteristic of the Maya. There are also many people that believe that the rulers of this great city may have been made up of a council of high ranking elites instead of a single monarch. Although the form of government of the city is not known it acknowledged by many historians that around the time 300-600 CE there was a region of about 10,000 square miles that was administered directly from the city, as well as other areas that likely provided tribute to the city.
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2009. Print.
Unlocking long-sealed cave may solve Mexican pyramid mystery. 2008. xenophilius.wordspress.com. Web. 21 Oct. 2009.
Unfortunately there is also quite a bit that is not known about the city, including the original name of the city, language which was spoken by its citizens, or what kind of government was in place in the city. We do know, though, that it was, physically, very large and impressive. The city was built with broad avenues, big marketplaces, large plazas, palaces, and marketplaces. There was a main boulevard which went through the city, now known as the Street of the Dead. Along this street there were the majestic homes of the elite, the headquarters of the authorities of the state, many temples, as well as two giant pyramids. One pyramid was known as the Pyramid of the Sun, while the other was known as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. It is believed by many people that the citizens of this Teotihuacan believed that the Pyramid of the Sun was the site of creation itself, birthplace of the sun and moon. In the Temple of Feathered Serpents archeologists have found the bones of 200 people who were apparently unwilling sacrificial victims that were forced to accompany the high ranking individuals that were buried there into the after life. The city also contained thousands of apartment complexes which were built of the main avenues in a gridlike pattern of streets. These apartments were home to the commoners that called this city home.
Besides all of these great buildings, the city also contained waterways, reservoirs, drainage systems, and many colorful murals. The buildings of the city were all decorated with these murals, as well as sculptures, and carvings. Most of these pieces of art work displayed abstract geometric and stylized images, while others portrayed gods and goddesses in many different forms, such as serpents, starfish, jaguars, flower, and warriors. The artwork found in Teotihuacan was not like that of the Mayan civilizations though because it did not contain many images of self adoring rulers and individuals. Many people believe that “the rulers of Teotihuacan might have intentionally avoided the personality cult of the dynastic art and writing” which was characteristic of the Maya. There are also many people that believe that the rulers of this great city may have been made up of a council of high ranking elites instead of a single monarch. Although the form of government of the city is not known it acknowledged by many historians that around the time 300-600 CE there was a region of about 10,000 square miles that was administered directly from the city, as well as other areas that likely provided tribute to the city.
Strayer, Robert W. Ways of the World: A Brief Global History. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2009. Print.
Unlocking long-sealed cave may solve Mexican pyramid mystery. 2008. xenophilius.wordspress.com. Web. 21 Oct. 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
What Both China and Rome Have in Common
In the Classical era, both Rome and China are expanding their empires. What both Rome and China shared was that they both built a system of roads. The roads were key to the empires because it made trade easy and it made communication throughout the empires possible. One Roman road started in Sicily and it stretches the northwestern shore line of the Mediterranean Sea and ends at the Red Sea. The Chinese the Imperial Roads stemming from the central Xi'an City to the Great Wall and to both the East and South China Sea. The Silk Road ends in the city of Xi'an. Both empires specialized in building public works such as roads, aqueducts, and walls (Strayer 1) . All were for the good of the public and the quick mobility of the military. The walls were used to blockade any type of invader from reaping havoc upon the empires. Both Rome and China believed in their own supernatural meaning behind their ruling. The Romans regarded their dead emperors as "gods." The Chinese were quite different by the Emperor being titled the "Son of Heaven" and he was said to govern the "Mandate of Heaven." They believed that when the Chinese were raided or something bad happened, it was linked to the emperor for bad ruling. With a catastrophic even happening, he had losted the Mandate of Heaven thus the emperor will loss his power. A foriegn religion has blosomed out of both these two empires. In Rome, Christianity derived out of Jerusalem and spread around Rome during the Pax Romana. At first Rome did not accept Christianity. They persecuted Christians but the offered one more chance to denouce their beliefs, if refused then they were executed. Around 300 C.E. the emperor Constantine pass a edict that made Christianity legal to praticed which was titled "The Edict of Milan." Later on, Christianity became the official religion of Rome. In China, Buddism was brought in through the Silk Road. Merchants from India and from other lands where it was praticed brought Buddisim to Han China. The religion was not fully supported by the Han Dynasty. It was not till the end of the Han Dynasty when Buddisim was spread throughout China (Strayer 2) .
1 Robert W. Strayer. Ways of the World. Bedford/St.Martin's 2009.
2 Robert W. Strayer. Ways of the World. Bedford/St.Martin's 2009.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Wheel: A Great Invention
People have been inventing things since the dawn of mankind. My dad is an inventor along with thousands of other people who have an idea that would make life a little better for us all. Although the inventions these days are much more advanced than the inventions that the first humans made, I believe that the invention of the wheel was one of the best inventions of all time.
Many people believe that the wheel has been around since 8000 BCE, however, that date that it was made is not exactly known. The oldest wheel ever discovered was made in 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia. This wheel is thought to have been a potter’s wheel used to make pots and other clay artifacts. Around 3200 BCE, the Mesopotamians began to use the wheel for transportation by putting it on their chariots. The Egyptians later made improvements to this wheel by making it a spoked wheel.
Before the wheel was invented for transportation, people used rollers (logs) to transport heavy objects. They would put one roller beneath the object, roll it, and then place another roller in front of the first, and so on. The invention of the wheel made transporting goods a thousand times easier for these earlier people.
Today, we use wheels all the time; on cars, buses, trains, planes, bicycles, luggage, lawn mowers, trailers, wheelbarrows, etc. The list goes on and on. Wheels make life so much better for everyone, and we can all thank the Mesopotamians for that.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Invention-of-the-Wheel
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/wheel.htm
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