Video Lesson

Lesson Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:-

• Describe the emergence of states and its characteristic
• Analyze stages of the Stone Age.
• Discuss the achievements during the Stone Age.

Brainstorming Questions

• Do you know about stone Age in history?
• Can you identified the difference between Old stone age and the New Stone Age?

Key Terms

The Stone Age

Overview of the Stone Age

The Stone Age marks a significant period in human history characterized by the development of tool-making skills. This era is essential in understanding the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to more complex civilizations. It is divided into three main periods:

1. Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age)
2. Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age)
3. Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)

1. Paleolithic Age

• Time Frame: Approximately 2.6 million years ago to around 300,000 years ago.
• Key Features:
  • Tool Making: Early humans created the first crude stone tools known as hand-axes.
  • Lifestyle: Humans lived as hunter-gatherers, relying on wild resources for food.
  • Habitat: They often lived in caves or temporary shelters.
  • Discovery of Fire: Mastery of fire provided warmth, protection, and a means to cook food.
  • Language Development: This period saw the emergence of basic forms of communication.

2. Mesolithic Age

• Time Frame: Approximately 300,000 years ago to around 45,000 years ago.
• Characteristics:
  • Transitional Phase: The Mesolithic period acted as a bridge between the Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages.
  • Tool Improvement: Stone tools became more refined and adaptable for various uses, indicating advancements in technology.

3. Neolithic Age

• Time Frame: Roughly 8,000 BC to 4,000 BC.
• Neolithic Revolution:
  • Agricultural Shift: This period is marked by a major shift from hunting and gathering to systematic agriculture, known as the Neolithic Revolution.
  • Domestication: People began to domesticate plants and animals, leading to reliable food sources.
  • Sedentary Lifestyle: The establishment of farming led to permanent settlements and complex social structures.
  • Technological Advances: Innovations included improved tools (e.g., hoes, yokes, and wheels) and the construction of stone houses, granaries, and religious sites.

Impact of the Neolithic Revolution

The transition to agriculture had profound effects on human society:

• Food Production: The ability to grow food enabled communities to thrive.
• Social Organization: The sedentary lifestyle led to more complex social hierarchies and governance structures.
• Cultural Developments: New practices, including pottery making, emerged during this time.
• Geographical Spread: Evidence of the Neolithic Revolution can be traced to various regions, including the Middle East, Nile Valley, and parts of Ethiopia.

Neolithic Developments in Ethiopia

• Timeline: Evidence suggests that the Neolithic Age in Ethiopia began around 7,000 years ago.
• Domesticated Plants: Key crops included teff, dagussa, nug, and enset.
• Archaeological Sites: Significant Neolithic sites have been found in Aksum, Lalibela, and near Chercher in Hararghe and Metehara.

The Emergence of States

Transition from Simple Societies to States

The Neolithic Age laid the foundation for more complex societies. Over time, human communities evolved from simple social structures to organized states. A state is defined as a politically organized body of people occupying a defined territory with a legitimate government.

Features of a State

1. Population: A community of people.
2. Territory: A defined geographical area.
3. Government: An organized authority that enforces laws and policies.
4. Sovereignty: The ability to govern itself without external control.
5. Recognition: Acceptance by other states or entities.

Theories on the Emergence of States

Religious Theory:

Early societies saw the rise of priests who played crucial roles in governance, leading to theocratic states ruled by religious leaders.

Agricultural Theory:

The development of agriculture led to economic stratification, creating elites who controlled surplus resources and, in turn, wielded power over others.

Trade Control Theory:

Control over trade routes and markets facilitated the rise of village chiefs who replaced religious leaders as the primary authorities.

Conflict Theory:

The need for security and defense led to the unification of smaller villages under powerful chiefs, often through force.

Conclusion

The Stone Age represents a crucial period in human evolution, characterized by technological advancements in tool-making and significant shifts in lifestyle and social organization. The transition from a nomadic to a sedentary way of life during the Neolithic Age laid the groundwork for the emergence of states and complex societies.