Lecture 3 - The Holocene and the Agro-Pastoral Emergence

Welcome to the third lecture!

This lecture is about the beginning of the Holocene.

This lecture introduces the concept known as the Holocene, a climactic condition that began around 10,000 BCE. As a result of the global warming, we see the emergence of several new cultural formations. One of these is the salmon culture that spanned the northern half of the Pacific from the Jomon in Japan to the Haida in Canada. Meanwhile, in North Africa and West Asia, we see the emergence of pastoral and agro-pastoral traditions. The lecture compares the different house and settlement types.

To get started, download the Lecture Handout, which outlines important places, terms, and dates addressed in Lecture 3; the document can be used for note-taking and as a study guide.

Download the Lecture 3 Handout here.

This lecture is divided into six units. Each unit has a lecture video, followed by a multiple choice question, or questions. These questions will test what you have just learned; you have one attempt to complete each, and can view the correct answer after submitting a response. You must complete these questions before 14:00 (UTC) September 24, 2013 to receive credit.

At the end of each lecture is a directed discussion with other members of your course. Discussion of other topics can be addressed in the forum, accessible by clicking "Discussion" in the menu at the top of this page.  

The time to complete this lecture (watching all videos, answering the review questions, and participating in directed discussion) is approximately two hours.