Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/29

Prehistoric Man 9 Egyptians, emerging from the Late Stone Age, invented a system of writing, discovered metal, and learned to use it. In the thou- sand years between 4000 and 3000 B.C. the Egyptians of the Late Stone Age advanced to a great and wonderful civilization, while the Europeans whom we have been describing still remained in barbarism. Hence, in order to understand the further history of Europe we must turn to Egypt. We shall then see how the Egyptians emerged from the Late Stone Age and became the first great civilized nation. 10. Prehistoric Period (before 4000 B.C.) and the Historic Period. It was not until man invented writing and began to pro- duce written documents, and monuments bearing inscriptions, that the Historic Period began. All that we know about men of the Stone Age we have to learn from the weapons, tools, implements, buildings, and other works of his hands which happen to have been preserved. The age before the appearance of written records we call the Prehistoric Period. The transition from the Prehis- toric to the Historic Period did not take place suddenly, but was a slow process. The Historic Period began in the Orient during the thousand years between 4000 and 3000 B.C., as civilization advanced and writing became more common. QUESTIONS I. Describe man's condition before civilization began. How would you define civilization ? Give some examples of its progress. Give an example of how all inventions depend on previous ones. Mention as many things as you can which had to be invented before an automobile could be made. Mention some things you have learned by imitation. 11. What remains of the Stone Age have been discovered in Europe ? Have you seen any stone utensils made by American Indians? What forced man to live in caves and to invent clothing? How would you be able to live without fire ? III. What were the inventions of the Late Stone Age ? What seeds, roots, fruits, and berries do we use for food ? What is the importance of the civilization of Egypt in the history of Europe ?