Annual Editions: World History, Volume I
Preface
Correlation Guide
Topic Guide
Internet References
UNIT 1: Natural History and the Spread of HumankindUnit Overview
1. Gone but Not Forgotten, Richard Monastersky,
The Chronicle of Higher Education, December 1, 2006A recent advertising campaign and an ill-fated television sit-com have brought
cavemen to a wider audience. Recently,
geneticists, using
DNA samples from Neanderthals, have concluded that their relationship with
Homo sapiens was much closer than originally thought. Will the Neanderthal cavemen finally get the respect they deserve?
2. Out of Africa, Spencer Wells,
Vanity Fair, July 2007By examining
human genomes, obtained through
DNA samples, scientists have learned that all of us can trace our existence back to
Africa. Since that continent's peoples saved humankind from
extinction, do we not have an obligation to assist Africans in their time of need?
3. First Americans, Karen Wright,
Discover, February 1999It was long thought that the
first humans in the New World crossed the
Bering Strait at the end of the
Ice Age, but recent
archaeological evidence seems to indicate that none of this may be true. Scientists continue to search for clues pertaining to who the earliest
Americans were and how and when they arrived.
4. Stone Age India, Samir S. Patel,
Archaeology, January/February 2010Most of the information about
evolution and
migration during the
Paleolithic Era has concentrated on Africa, Europe, and the eastern Mediterranean area. However, in the Indian state of
Andhra Pradesh, the remains of a 74,000 year old civilization that was buried by a
volcanic eruption may force scientists to rewrite India's
prehistory.5. Kelp Highways, Heather Pringle,
Discover, June 2008Conventional wisdom taught that early
human migrations occurred only across now vanished
land bridges. However, recent evidence has raised the possibility that
Ice Age mariners may have played a significant role in the colonization of the globe.UNIT 2: The Beginnings of Culture, Agriculture, and CitiesUnit Overview
6. Who Were the Hurrians?, Andrew Lawler,
Archaeology, July/August 2008The
Hurrians have been historically dismissed as a marginal tribe from north of
Mesopotamia. Recent archaeological evidence claims that they may have played a key role in shaping Mesopotamia's
first cities, empires, and states.7. Dawn of the City: Excavations Prompt a Revolution in Thinking about the Earliest Cities, Bruce Bower,
Science News, February 9, 2008The
excavation of
Tell Brak in northern Syria has cast new light on the history of
urban development in ancient
Mesopotamia. It also provides an interesting case study involving the rise and fall of Tell Brak, including the reasons for both.
8. The Dawn of Art, Andrew Curry,
Archaeology, September/October 2007
Swabia today is a German region that many consider a center for creativity and innovation. The recent discovery of
artifacts from as far back as 40,000 years ago provides a possible connection between present-day conditions and Swabia's advanced ancient past.
9. Prehistory of Warfare, Steven A. LeBlanc,
Archaeology, May/June 2003According to Steven LeBlanc, humans have been at each others' throats since the
prehistoric era. This predilection for organized
violence has been largely ignored by previous archaeologists, even though LeBlanc finds evidence in every corner of the world.
Wars in prehistoric times-should we be surprised?
10. Writing Gets a Rewrite, Andrew Lawler,
Science, June 29, 2001The commonly-held belief that
writing began in
Mesopotamia five thousand years ago is being challenged by researchers today. Evidence gathered in recent years indicates that it may have developed simultaneously in
Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the
Indus River Valley. But the findings, while promising, are not conclusive enough to make a case for that theory. Perhaps future discoveries will shed new light on this important question.
11. How to Build a Pyramid, Bob Brier,
Archaeology, May/June 2007The size and scope of Egypt's
pyramids has attracted the attention of scholars who both marveled at and mused about their creation and, especially, how this was accomplished. Recently, a theory which argued for the presence of an
internal ramp made a seemingly impossible construction seem possible.UNIT 3: The Early Civilizations to 500 B.C.E.Unit Overview
12. Multiculturalism in History: India, the Multicultural Paradigm, Stanley Wolpert,
Orbis, Fall 1999Tracking
Indian multiculturalism back to its
historical roots, the author surveys India's major periods of growth and development. He laments India's tragic and violent present, caused primarily by
religious and ethnic intolerance, and argues that
education is the key to solving this gravest of India's current problems.
13. Uncovering Ancient Thailand, Tom Gidwitz,
Archaeology, July/August 2006Charles Higham has spent forty years exploring and uncovering the
archaeology of Southeast Asia. From his work emerge
artifacts and
fossils, which transform our understanding of this once-neglected part of
prehistory. 14. Black Pharaohs, Robert Draper,
National Geographic, February 2008The influence of
Black Africa on Egyptian civilization has been a contentious point of debate among
archaeologists and
historians. What cannot be disputed is that during Egypt's
25th Dynasty, black forces from
Nubia conquered Egypt, resulting in a series of Black
Pharaohs who ruled Egypt throughout this period. The most noted of these was Taharqa, who was sufficiently noteworthy to merit a mention in the Hebrew Bible.
15. The Gold of Kush, Geoff Emberling,
Archaeology, November/December 2009The Kingdom of
Kush, located south of Egypt, was both a friend and enemy of its more powerful neighbor before it declined and disappeared from history.
Archaeological discoveries revived its historical significance, but the building of the
Merowe Dam in Sudan has finally destroyed the remains of a great kingdom.
16. Messages from the Dead, Marco Merola,
Archaeology, January/February 2007
Qatna was a
Bronze Age Syrian
city-state which was conquered and destroyed by the warlike
Hittites. A collection of newly-discovered tablets chronicles the city's rise and fall, a testimony to the bellicose nature of
Mesopotamian existence.
17. China's First Empire, Michael Loewe,
History Today, September 2007Created at the end of China's
Warring States period, the
Qin Dynasty established China's
Empire. Led by its first Emperor,
Shi Huangdi, the empire defined how China would be run for more than 2000 years.
18. Beyond the Family Feud, Andrew Lawler,
Archaeology, March/April 2007A recent debate among
Mesoamerindian scholars concerns the role of the
Olmec civilization whose people were once referred to as the Sumerians of the New World. Were the Olmecs the progenitors of
Maya and
Aztec civilizations, or were they one among many people who contributed to the later civilizations?UNIT 4: The Later Civilizations to 500 C.E.Unit Overview
19. Unlocking Mysteries of the Parthenon, Evan Hadingham,
Smithsonian, February 2008The
Parthenon, a temple built to honor the
Goddess Athena 2,500 years ago, has endured earthquakes, fires, explosions, and lootings throughout its history. A
restoration project that is painstakingly recreating the ancient wonder is also yielding new insights into the astonishing feats of its master builders.
20. Alexander the Great: Hunting for a New Past?, Paul Cartledge,
History Today, July 2004Alexander the Great has become an almost
mythical figure who ins pired poets, painters, sculptors, writers, and historians to make him the subject of their works. Considered by many to be a
god while alive, he continues to inspire today. Who was the real Alexander, and what was responsible for his greatness?
21. Sudden Death: Gladiators Were Sport's First Superstars, Providing Thrills, Chills and Occasional Kills, Franz Lidz,
Sports Illustrated, February 15, 2001
Gladiatorial games, once a staple of Roman
popular culture, have been resurrected today in various forms of
extreme fighting. While not murder as public sport, they remain reminders of how barbaric the Roman practice was, and what its existence said about Roman society.
22. Apocalypse: The Great Jewish Revolt against Rome, 66-;73 C.E., Neil Faulkner,
History Today, October 2002From 66-73 C.E.,
Rome waged war against
Jews who rebelled against its rule. The final battle occurred at
Masada, where the last Jewish soldiers chose mass suicide over defeat and a lifetime of slavery. One of
Israel's most sacred places, Masada highlights oppressed people . . . fighting against . . . greed and war.
23. Vox Populi: Sex, Lies, and Blood Sport, Heather Pringle,
Discover, June 2006
Graffiti has become a modern art genre, but it is hardly a new creation. In
Roman times, wax tablets and plastered walls presented places where citizens could express themselves, providing us with a glimpse into
the ragged edges of ordinary life.24. Woman Power in the Maya World, Chris Hardman,
Americas (English Edition), May/June 2008The
Maya city of
Waka', discovered in the 1960s, has added enormously to the history of
Maya Civilization. Findings at this site included, unexpectedly, the
fossils of
women, along with accompanying artifacts, which indicated
royal status. Does this discovery indicate the presence of
woman power in the Maya world?
25. Secrets of a Desert Metropolis: The Hidden Wonders of Petra's Ancient Engineers, Evan Hadingham,
Scientific American Discovering Archaeology, September/October 2000The Arabian Desert traders, known as Nabataeans, built at
Petra in southern Jordan an
oasis city of 30,000 that had graceful temples, shops, and an Olympic-sized pool supplied by an aqueduct. Long thought to have withered after the Romans changed the trade routes, or to have been deserted after devastating earthquakes, the city is now thought to have prospered until the Islamic conquest of the 7th century A.D.UNIT 5: The Great ReligionsUnit Overview
26. Ancient Jewel, T. R. (Joe) Sundaram,
The World & I, October 1996
Indian civilization is more than 6,000 years old. Its culture produced
Hinduism and
Buddhism and influenced philosophical thinking. Ideas about cycles of life and acceptance of diversity are only a part of the Indian contribution to the world.
27. The Shrine of Islam's Tragic Divisions, Corrine Atkins,
History Today, November 2003Islam's major division between
Sunni and Shia sects splits the Muslim world. Its historical roots can be traced to the post-
Muhammad era, when there was a dispute among members as to who would be the
Prophet's successor. True unity among
Muslims cannot occur until this rift is healed.
28. The Dome of the Rock: Jerusalem's Epicenter, Walid Khalidi,
Aramco World, September/October 1996Jerusalem is as sacred to
Muslims as it is to
Jews and
Christians. The Dome of the Rock, an octagonal sanctuary covering the rock from which Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven, dominates the skyline of the old city. It is a point where humanity is joined to God.
29. Universal Rights and Cultural Relativism: Hinduism and Islam Deconstructed, Catherine E. Polisi,
World Affairs, Summer 2004
Human rights abuses against women are sometimes justified today on grounds of
Hindu and
Islamic scriptures and teachings. However, a careful examination of these scriptures shows that both hold women and men in
equal standing.30. First Churches of the Jesus Cult, Andrew Lawler,
Archaeology, September/October 2007The
early Christian churches and their communities were nothing like their contemporary successors. Small and scattered, they kept the faith alive until public acceptance and legal status were achieved. Recent
excavations in the
Holy Land are providing useful data regarding
Christianity's early years.
31. Women in Ancient Christianity: The New Discoveries, Karen L. King,
Frontline, April 6, 1998What role did
women play in the early
Christian church? Was it a
subordinate one or one that reflected
gender equality? Karen King cites ancient sources that reveal women actively participating in early
Christianity-as disciples, prophets, preachers, and teachers. The leadership roles of these early Christian women were
suppressed for centuries until the rediscovery of original source texts has allowed us to re-enter the
first centuries of Christianity.UNIT 6: The World of the Middle Ages, 500-1500Unit Overview
32. The Survival of the Eastern Roman Empire, Stephen Williams and Gerard Friell,
History Today, November 1998In the
5th century C.E., the
Roman Empire had become divided into two parts: the western one centered in
Rome, and the eastern one in
Constantinople. Both were subjected to
barbarian attacks. The western empire succumbed to those attacks, but the eastern empire lasted for another thousand years.
33. Trophy Skulls and Beer: Unearthing the Source of an Andean Empire's Power, Andrew Curry,
Archaeology, January/February 2010From 600 to 1000 C.E., the
Wari Empire dominated what is today
Peru in a period known as the
Middle Horizon. What caused this
enigmatic state to decline and disappear is being explored by archaeologists today.
34. The Ideal of Unity, Russell Chamberlin,
History Today, November 2003With
Europe increasingly united and centrally controlled, one wonders if there has ever been a precedent for such an ambitious endeavor as the European Union. In the
Middle Ages, there was one such attempt as the
Holy Roman Emperors attempted to unify the
continent. They ultimately failed; this selection tells why.
35. Who Were the Anasazi?, Keith Kloor,
Archaeology, November/December 2009The
Anasazi were a
Native American tribe that dominated northwestern
New Mexico from 500 to 1300 C.E. Sometimes referred to as
Chacos, their fate has been investigated by archaeologists. However, recent
lineage claims from both the
Hopi and
Navajo tribes have created unexpected controversy, which affects archaeological work at these sites today.
36. The Age of the Vikings, Arne Emil Christensen,
Scientific American: Discovering Archaeology, September/October 2000The
Norsemen were more than feared warriors. They were also colonizers, citybuilders, lawgivers, explorers, and merchants. Eventually, they settled in the British Isles, Normandy (in France), Russia, Greenland, and Newfoundland, where they left their cultural mark in a variety of ways.
37. The Fall of Constantinople, Judith Herrin,
History Today, June 2003In what many regard as one of history's turning points, the
Ottoman Turks captured the
Byzantine Empire's capital city of
Constantinople in 1453. The background to this epic struggle and the valiant defense of the city in the face of insurmountable odds are recounted here.UNIT 7: 1500: The Era of Global ExpansionUnit Overview
38. The Explorer Marco Polo, Paul Lunde,
Aramco World, January 2005
Marco Polo preceded the age of
Global Expansion by two centuries, but his well-documented eastern travels must have inspired many later explorers. In fact, the monopoly of eastern trade by the
Republic of Venice encouraged other states to seek alternative eastern routes, especially around the southern coast of
Africa.39. 1492: The Prequel, Nicholas D. Kristof,
The New York Times Magazine, June 6, 1999Between 1405 and 1433,
Zheng He of China led sailing expeditions to the west that reached the east coast of Africa. He could have sailed around Africa to Europe, but there was little reason to reach that backward region of the world. Economic and intellectual complacency within China stopped the
explorations. This set a course for the later domination by the West.
40. The Other 1492: Jews and Muslims in Columbus's Spain, Fouad Ajami,
The New Republic, April 6, 1992Christopher Columbus's three ships left Spain for their
world-changing voyage to the
Americas the day before the last ships carrying expelled Jews also left Spain under somewhat different conditions. An account of the latter
exodus chronicles Spanish
anti- Semitism, which includes the 1481
Inquisition and the 1492
Edict of Expulsion.41. A Taste of Adventure: Kerala, India, and the Molucca Islands, Indonesia, The Economist, December 19, 1998From the day that Vasco da Gama and his
Portuguese crew landed in
India, shouting For Christ and spices, the world has never been the same. The
global spice trade that journeys like his created, changed forever the palates of people throughout the world and brought riches to exploring nations and their citizens.
42. The Significance of Lepanto, Gregory Mellueish,
Quadrant, April 2008The
Battle of Lepanto has been referred to as one of history's turning points, as it saved Europe from a potential
Islamic invasion. It still deserves this acclamation. However, the victory was that of an
emerging form of state over a powerful
traditionalist empire.43. Do Civilizations Really Collapse?, Eric A. Powell,
Archaeology, March/April 2008This volume has explored many civilizations, concentrating on reasons for their
rise and fall. Recently, historian
Jared Diamond has proposed an
eco-cidal theory to explain
civilizational collapses. While some give credence to Diamond's theory, others question some of his work. A brief critique of his work ends this volume.
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