BC-1200


 * //__HISTORICAL CONTEXT__//**

60,000 years before present to 1200 AD (latest date given 535 AD ancient rome

Humans were around… Evolved from smaller less technologically advanced cities to larger metropolises such as ancient rome.

Most major religions were started in these years,


 * //__DEFORESTATION__//**

60,000 years before present -- Earliest probable evidence **of fire used deliberately to clear forests** in the **Kalambo** **Falls site in Tanzania**. (Grove, 1995). Second highest waterfall in Africa.

- First example of humans destroying the environment for own good. Examples now, factory polluting, dumping in water, heavy oil use.

2700 BC -- Some of the first **laws protecting the remaining forests decreed in Ur**. (Grove, 1995). an ancient city in southern Mesopotamia

- Shows human response to the environmental damage

2600 BC -- **Large scale commercial timbering of cedars in Phoenicia (Lebanon**) for export to Egypt and Sumeria. Similar commercial timbering in South India.

- Shows how individual greed triumphed over the good of the common 500 BC - forward -- **Greek coastal cities become landlocked after deforestation**, which causes soil erosion. The siltation fills in the bays and mouths of rivers. - First advanced civilization to really feel the effects of what a large amount of environmental damage can do •• Greek philosopher Plato (427 – 347 BC) compared hills and mountains of Greece to the bones of a wasted body: "All the richer and softer parts have fallen away and the mere Skelton of the land remains."


 * //__PUBLIC SANITATION AND HEALTH__//**

2500 BC -- Mohenjo Darro civilization of Indus River valley achieves high level of public health and citywide sanitation. Viewed as one of the most important early cities of south Asia.

As dirty as Rome must have been, the Romans are also remembered for setting **a new standard for public health.** Public physicians are appointed to attend the poor, and hospitals are built throughout the empire. **The city of Rome has aquaducts bringing clean waters to gymnasiums and public baths**. **Many areas of the city have sewage or use reservoirs for sending freshets of waters to sweep streets clean.** A similar level of public health would not return to Europe until the mid 18th century or later.

500 BC -- Cloaca Maxima (big sewer) is built in Rome by Etruscan dynasty of Tarquins. As Rome grows, a networks of cloacae (sewers) and aquaducts are built. Initially constructed around [|600 BC] under the orders of the [|king] of Rome, [|Lucius Tarquinius Priscus]. **Dumped in TIBER RIVER**


 * //__RELIGIOUS ROOTS__//**


 * Hinduism, oldest religion; Vedic Scriptures called Aranyakas (forest books); started in 1000 BC
 * Taoism and Confucianism value nature and want people to follow the patterns of nature. For example, Taoist paintings often revolve around nature and when and if there are humans in the painting they are small and insignificant
 * Egyptian, Sumarian, and Babylonian cultures have intricate links between nature and what they call the “divine”
 * Aristotle, the greek philosopher, sees that “imitation of nature” is the key to understanding life.
 * Greek mythology links justice and nature with Themis, the goddess of law being the daughter of Gaia, the goddess of Earth.
 * Christian connection is the sacred bush that spoke to moses and gave him the ten commandments
 * Buddhism, Siddhartha retreated into the forest to meditate and reach enlightenment