ASIAN STUD

• Arthur Holmes


  The father of Geologic Time Scale
• Arthur Holmes


  • He was the first earth scientist to grasp the mechanical and thermal implications of mantle convection
  • He widely applied the newly-developed method of radioactive dating to minerals in the first attempt to quantitatively estimate the age of the Earth
• Fossils


  Remains or evidence of prehistoric plants and animals that have fossilized
• Geologic Time Scale


  The "calendar" for events in Earth's history
• Units of Geologic Time Scale

  • Eon
  • Era
  • Period
  • Epoch
• Eon


  The largest unit of time
• Era


  A unit of time shorter than an eon but longer than a period
• Period


  A unit of time shorter than an era but longer than epoch
• Epoch


  A unit of time shorter than a period but longer than an age
• Continental Drift Theory


  Scientific theory proposed in the early 20th century about the migration of the continents
• Continental Drift Theory


  • Alfred Wegener proposed the theory, which suggests that the Earth's continents were once a part of a single supercontinent called Pangaea
  • Pangaea existed around 300 million years ago
  • Wegener presented several lines of evidence to support his theory, such as the fit of the continents, similar geological formations across continents, similarities in fossils and plant species, and ancient mountain range alignments
  • Wegener lacked a plausible mechanism to explain continental drift during his time
  • The theory faced skepticism and rejection from the scientific community initially
• Alfred Wegener is considered the Father of Plate Tectonics
• Plate Tectonics Theory


  Theory that Earth's crust is broken into about 20 sections, commonly known as tectonic plates, where the continents ride
• Asia is the largest of the world's continents, covering approximately 30 percent of the Earth's land area
• Asia is the world's most populous continent, with roughly 60 percent of the total population
• Himalaya mountains


  • Extend for about 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), separating the Indian subcontinent from the rest of Asia
  • The Indian subcontinent, once connected to Africa, collided with the Eurasian continent about 50 million to 55 million years ago, forming the Himalayas
  • The Indian subcontinent is still crashing northward into Asia, and the Himalayas are growing about 5 centimeters (2 inches) every year
• Homo Neanderthalensis was gradually displaced or superseded by modern humans (Homo Sapiens) during the last glaciation, between approximately 70,000 and 20,000 B.C.
• Homo Erectus


  • Lived from about two million years ago until at least 250,000 years ago
  • Found in Africa, Asia and perhaps Europe
  • Had human-like body proportions and upright stance, a protruding brow ridge, large face and no chin
  • Brain size of about 550-1,250cm3
  • Height of about 1.4-1.8m
  • Weight of about 41-65 kg
  • Diet of meat (initially from scavenging but later potentially also from hunting) and plants
• Homo Neanderthalensis


  • Lived from about 400,000 to 40,000 years ago
  • Found across Europe and southwest and central Asia
  • Had large nose, strong double-arched brow ridge, relatively short and stocky bodies
  • Brain size of at least 1,200cm3 to 1,750cm3
  • Height of about 1.50-1.75m
  • Weight of about 64-82kg
  • Diet of meat, plants and fungi, shellfish when available
• Homo Sapiens


  • Archaic Homo sapiens from 300,000 years ago, modern Homo sapiens from about 160,000 years ago
  • Found in Africa and in many other sites across much of the world
  • Earliest Homo sapiens had bodies with short, slender trunks and long limbs
  • Brain size of about 1350 cubic centimetres which makes up 2.2% of body weight, early Homo sapiens had slightly larger brains at nearly 1500 cubic centimetres
  • Height of about 160-175cm
• Paleolithic


  Period in human prehistory distinguished by the original development of stone tools, representing almost the entire period of human prehistoric technology
• Neolithic Revolution


  Transition in human history from small, nomadic bands of hunter-gatherers to larger, agricultural settlements and early civilization
• Neolithic Age


  • Also called the New Stone Age, Neolithic humans used stone tools like their earlier Stone Age ancestors
• The Neolithic Revolution led to masses of people establishing permanent settlements supported by farming and agriculture, paving the way for the innovations of the ensuing Bronze Age and Iron Age
• Jemdet Nasr period


  • Development of writing and administrative systems, as evidenced by the discovery of clay tablets inscribed with early cuneiform script
  • Evidence of centralized authority and the emergence of early state formations in Mesopotamia
• Hassuna culture


  Early evidence of agriculture, including the cultivation of wheat and barley. Circular mudbrick houses, pottery, and tools made of stone and bone. One of the earliest Neolithic cultures in the Near East.
• Halaf culture


  Distinctive pottery with intricate geometric designs painted in black, red, and white. Evidence of early urbanization, with large communal buildings and specialized craft production.
• Ubaid period


  Transition from small, village-based communities to larger urban centers. Evidence of temple complexes, irrigation systems, and the emergence of social stratification. Expansion of trade networks connecting Mesopotamia with neighboring regions.
• Uruk


  One of the largest cities of its time, covering an area of around 5 square kilometers. Surrounded by a massive wall and featured monumental architecture, including the White Temple and the Anu Ziggurat. Center of trade and culture, with evidence of long-distance trade networks reaching as far as the Indus Valley.
• Jemdet Nasr period


  Development of writing and administrative systems, as evidenced by the discovery of clay tablets inscribed with early cuneiform script. Evidence of centralized authority and the emergence of early state formations in Mesopotamia.
• Early Mesopotamia


  Historical region of West Asia that formed on the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, emerged during 8000-2000 BC between the Formative and Dynastic Period
• Four first civilizations of Mesopotamia

  • Sumerians
  • Akkadians
  • Assyrians
  • Babylonians
• Five known periods of historical region of Mesopotamia

  • Hassunah period
  • Halaf Period
  • Ubaid Period
  • Warka/Uruk Period
  • Jemdat Nasr Period
• Mesopotamia is present-day Iraq, and historically included parts of Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey
• Hassuna Period


  Ancient Mesopotamian town located south of modern Mosul in northern Iraq, development of irrigation allowed spread of farming settlements
• Prehistoric cultures characterized by distinctive pottery styles

  • Hassuna (6000-5500 BC)
  • Samarra (6000-5500 BC)
  • Halaf (5500-5000 BC)
  • Ubaid (5300-3900 BC)
• Halaf Period


  Continuous development from early Neolithic pottery, located in fertile valley of Kabul River in southeastern Turkey, Syria and northern Iraq
• Halaf culture ended by 5000 BC, settlements displayed Ubaid character
• Ubaid Period


  First Sumerian cities began to rise, population growth, reliance on temples and development of irrigation
• Ubaid period is known for its creation of clay pottery