Civilization

An ambiguous term often used to denote more complex societies but sometimes used by anthropologists to describe any group of people sharing a set of cultural traits.

Scholars agree that political, social, economic, and technological phenomena are indicators of civilization.

by HistoryNerd94 September 26, 2010

Neolithic

The period of the Stone Age associated with the ancient Agricultural Revolution(s). It follows the Paleolithic period.

The Neolithic (New Stone Age), which is associated with the origins of agriculture, followed the Paleolithic.

by HistoryNerd94 November 07, 2010

Paleolithic

The period of the Stone Age associated with the evolution of humans. It predates the Neolitic period.

Among the major subdivisions, the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) lasted until 10,000 years ago.

by HistoryNerd94 November 04, 2010

Megaliths

Structures and complexes of very large stones for ceremonial and religious purposes in Neolithic times.

Assemblages of megaliths (meaning "big stones") seem to relate to religious beliefs.

by HistoryNerd94 November 22, 2010

Semitic

Family of related languages long spoken across part of western Asia and northern Africa. In antiquity these languages included Hebrew, Aramaic, and Phoenician. The most wide–spread modern member of the Semitic family is Arabic.

As early as 2900 B.C.E., personal names recorded in inscriptions from the northerly cities reveal a non-Sumerian Semitic language.

by HistoryNerd94 December 16, 2010

Culture

Socially transmitted patterns of action and expression. Material culture refers to physical objects, such as dwellings, clothing, tools, and crafts. Culture also includes arts, beliefs, knowledge, and technology.

Learned patterns of action and expression constitute culture.

by HistoryNerd94 September 27, 2010