Evolution of Settlements - I
Evolution of Settlements - I
Evolution of Settlements - I
Various Stages
Man as Nomad and Cave Dweller (Up to 10,000 B. C.) Earth estimated to be formed about 4 billion years ago Homo Sapiens (the one existing species of man) believe to date from about 500,000 B. C. Earliest man did not settle anywhere as they wandered around in search of food Did not know how to construct buildings so lived in the open Occasionally took shelter on top of trees to protect themselves from wild animals
Community Structuring
Division of Labour As food became abundant, all the inhabitants were not required to work on the fields Others thus began to practice various occupations Working population got divided among farmers, cattle and poultry breeders, fishermen, shepherds craftsmen(carpenters, potters, painters, engravers, makers of tools, weapons and other implements), and weavers Some engaged in taming and domestication of animals for bearing load, plough fields, protecting property and as source of milk, meat and wool
Community Structuring
Barter System The most ancient form of trading Those who were not farmers were supplied food in exchange of goods they produced Shepherds got grains in exchange for milk, weavers for cloth, potters for utensils, and craftsmen for tools and implements Initially practiced within the community Later as river and land routes developed for transportation, goods began to be exchanged across communities
Community Structuring
Trading With transportation, reputation of some of the goods produced by craftsmen of particular villages began to travel far and wide As the demand of goods increased, trading of such goods began to grow. Traders emerged as a new class of people, trading as a new occupation and market place as the new physical component of settlements.
Community Structuring
Social Stratification Early traders most probably belonged to the hunting tribe - people already used to traveling They were also recognised as leaders as they provided protection to the community against wild animals After they began trading activity,they accumulated goods and became wealthy They also accumulated knowledge as they traveled long distances and met many people Their hold on the community increased and became quite powerful. One of them became a chieftain
Physical Structuring
New Physical Features The chieftain built for himself a castle which towered over the other buildings,more so because it was built at the highest point in the village The rich traders and wealthy farmers built their houses near the castle - the new distinguishing feature and a status symbol Relatively poor artisans and ordinary peasants occupied quarters on the periphery The community was divided between the rich and the poor and the two social classes occupied different sections of the settlements
Physical Structuring
New Physical Features The rich and the poor gradually grew antagonistic to
each other
The rich became concerned about their life and property Built a wall around their castle and thus created fortified castle Man had originally learned to ward of danger from beasts and wild animals but now was afraid of being attacked by fellow human beings
Physical Structuring
The Walled Settlements The strife between the people of the same settlement later supplemented by that between the people of different settlements The rich settlements were exposed to the danger of being raided by outsiders The wall around the settlement was built in addition to the one already existing around the castle This effectively curbed physical spread of settlements People living outside moved in The density of population began to rise
Civilization
Language, Art and Technology Man developed new skills in art to create carvings, engravings and paintings Developed a kind of common language Learned the use of metals and acquired an array of new implements Used these houses to make bigger houses, temples and tombs
Urban Settlement
Community Structure
Labour specialisation New occupations teachers, advocates, judges, government servants New class of people philosophers, scientists, administrators, political leaders, dramatists, sculpture artists, architects and town planners Distinct social classes Non-agricultural occupations expanded at a faster rate
Urban Settlement
Community Structure
Invention of new means of transport Expansion of trade Merchants organised themselves in the from of guilds Development of art and literature Acquisition of wealth and knowledge A general sense of appreciation for civic concerns Structural transformations continued over subsequent civilisations and cultural phases
Dwellings of the common people Theatre, government offices, gymnasiums, judicial courts and institutions of higher learning (added during the Greek Period) Networks of water supply, sewerage, drainage, transportation systems, bath houses, coliseums, and circuses (added by the Romans) Church became the central focus of medieval towns. Monasteries became new centre of activity Warehouses to store the wealth of the town Guild halls and Town halls