Comparing Paleolithic and Comparing Paleolithic and Neolithic PeoplesNeolithic Peoples

San Rock Art vs. Gilgamesh, Hammurabi, and Babylon

Hammurabi’s Code Stele in Hammurabi’s Code Stele in Louvre Museum, ParisLouvre Museum, Paris

Hammurabi Code SteleHammurabi Code Stele

Solid basalt (rock) block inscribed with code of laws (in Akkadian language)

Hammurabi Receiving Code Hammurabi Receiving Code of Laws from Godsof Laws from Gods

Carved top of stele

Sumerian Writing System:Sumerian Writing System:

Cuneiform:Written in clay tablet

Ishtar Gate (from Babylon)Ishtar Gate (from Babylon)now in Pergamon Museum, Berlinnow in Pergamon Museum, Berlin

Ishtar Gate LionIshtar Gate Lion

Ishtar Gate DragonIshtar Gate Dragon

Individual WorkIndividual WorkIn one well-written sentence

answer the following question:

In your view, what was the biggest difference between life in San (Rock Art) culture and life in Mesopotamia (Gilgamesh’s world)?

Group Work: Primary Group Work: Primary SourcesSourcesBreak up into groups of 5Answer the question: What are

the most important characteristics of Mesopotamian society?

Use evidence found in the two documents ‘Epic of Gilgamesh’ and ‘Hammurabi’s Code’

ComparisonsComparisonsPaleolithic Peoples

(Cave painters) Hunter-gatherers No domesticated animals Nomadic Short lifespan Small clans or groups Ice age Cave painting Rituals/spirits – animal

spirits, burials Shamans Respect for animals, birth,

life, death Civilized?

Neolithic Peoples (Mesopotamians & Egyptians)

Settled by rivers Agricultural – farming - surpluses Organized society Government, taxes Writing Laws Domesticated animals Hierarchy Caste/class system – slavery –

inequality Diff. gender roles Division of labor Military Gods – polytheistic States, kingdoms, empires Population growth Permanent Buildings/architecture Math, learning, engineering Trade/commerce Religion, sacrifice Conflicts

Comparisons (continued)Comparisons (continued)Paleolithic

PeoplesNeolithic Peoples