Chapters 1-3

Chapters 1-3

Having not studied world history since high school (many, many, many years ago), the information in these first three chapters was definitely different than what I remember learning.  I remember learning that humans during the Paleolithic era were extremely primitive, perhaps not far removed from apes in my recollection.  I also don’t recall the Mesoamericans being mentioned until the Spanish conquest of the Americas.  The only Neolithic civilizations I remember learning about were the Egyptians, Sumerians and the different dynasties of China.  As a Latin-American, it is nice to see Mesoamericans get some recognition for their historical contributions.

In class last week and in the book it talks about how many historians had held the belief that “history” began with the origins of writing.  This idea ties in with my recollection of learning about cave people in high school.  I am glad to see we have “evolved” in that regard.  I found it very interesting that anthropologist now believe that early humans were able to migrate to different land masses via some kind of water craft.  Back in the 80’s, the only explanation for migration was that it had to be over land.  Also new to me, was the discovery that these ancient people had creation stories and the beginnings of religion and that they lived in small communities with a system of rules and customs.  I particularly enjoyed learning that during the Paleolithic era men and women existed as equals.  I am now convinced these early humans were perchance the most “civilized” of all.

What I found most interesting in chapter two is the idea that the reason Eurasia saw such a huge boom in population and civilizations/city-states over such a large area is that the land mass is laid out on a west to east axis.  This means that climates were relatively similar and made trade more accessible.  On the other hand, the Americas land mass is laid out over a north to south axis.  This territory spans many different climates and does not lend to exploration and trade as easily.

Chapter three made me sad.  As a woman, I had always believed that sexism and the patriarchal societies we live in were a relatively new notion.  In my own estimation, it was engineered and glorified in biblical times.  Now I come to learn that is was a byproduct of the agricultural revolution around the world in Neolithic times.  The fact that this practice has been around almost as long as humans have congregated with one another is somewhat disheartening and definitely eye opening.  I can follow and understand the natural progression of how this happened.  This understanding is what distresses me because I honestly cannot imagine what the alternative would have been.  The fact that women took on the duties of the home and child rearing and that the men were the hunters and naturally became the community leaders because “they had the time”, really makes sense.  It still exists today either by choice or by force and the fact is that women are the natural choice to be with children during their early years.  I suppose the one bright spot is that we have made improvements in women’s rights and I know it can only get better.