The Importance Of Periodization

In world history, periodization can be extremely controversial due to the argument between the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras. Historians have different perspectives and opinions about these eras that make periodization a dilemma many historians face. In the Strayer book, it addresses reasons why periodization can be contentious in world history. “ Some historians identify ‘real history’ with writing and so dismiss the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras as largely unknowable because their peoples did not write.”(12) This means that some historians skip the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras because their people did not have written records. Therefore, they believe that the lack of writing during the eras means that it is unnecessary to inform others

These historians only like major events that transformed things. Yet, people cannot change history, history happens the way it does and it can’t change. However, in the Strayer book, it does say that the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras are important to periodize. “ Although written records are absent, scholars have learned a great deal about Paleolithic and Neolithic peoples through their material remains: stones and bones, fossilized seeds, rock paintings and engravings and much more.”(12) This means that even though the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras didn’t have written records, they did leave behind their materials that we can learn and get an idea what they did back then. The Paleolithic and Neolithic people didn’t get a chance to develop a form of writing, they did utilize their resources correctly and left us these amazing artifacts that we can reflect on and decipher. The periodization of the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras did cause controversy in world

Egypt and Mesopotamia are two different civilizations that are pretty far away from each other. They began to have long-distant trades amongst each other that benefited both civilizations. “Its agriculture drew upon wheat and barley, which likely reached Egypt from Mesopotamia...”(85) Wheat and Barley was used in Mesopotamia and it was the main plant that they grew in their climate and it fed people. Since Egypt and Mesopotamia have a similar climate, Egypt was probably inspired by the Mesopotamians in the usage of the plants and it probably benefited them too. “... as well as gourds, watermelon, domesticated donkeys, and cattle, which came from the Sudan to the south.”(85) Sudan most likely utilized their donkeys for easier transportation which assisted them with many things, Egypt was activated by this idea and they probably used their donkeys for transportation as well. Some of the civilizations in Mesopotamia were Hebrews. Many people like the Phoenicians were influenced by them. “ Their sacred writings, recorded in the Old Testament, showed the influence of Mesopotamia in the ‘eye for an eye’ principle in their legal system and in the story of a flood that destroyed the world.”(86) The Mesopotamians shared this belief with other regions and civilizations and many were intrigued by it. This religion probably spread in Lebanon after this