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One of the more important methods of study of sociology is to use history as a guide. Examination of prehistory, antiquity, classical and medieval history, modern history, and the future tends to give a progressive picture of the development of human society. |
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Peoples of the world can be followed through history. Communities can also be followed to some extent. More communities, and larger ones, can be found in each successive period. Social structure and change can be followed to to a greater extent with each successive period.
The origins of human society are lost in prehistory. Although some peoples can be identified, a few archeological sites, and a few significant trends in social structure and change, no written history survives The archeological record of cultural artifacts is seriously incomplete.
Although modern nations and peoples sponsor investigations of this period, few if any of them can be traced directly to this period. Communities were small and have not survived to the present. Social structure and change in this period was rudimentary compared to later times. The hominids and early men of this period left little trace of their existence besides stones and bones. Pliocene times can be connected. Early Pleistocene times can be connected. Early mid Pleistocene times can be connected. Late mid Pleistocene times can be connected. Late Pleistocene times can be connected.
Modern humans made their appearance in this period and began to spread around the world, although details are obscure. There is some consideration of Asiatic peoples, Western civiliation, African and American Indian peoples. The existence of communities, elements of social structure and change, institutions suggested by multiple distinct varieties of culture, and more abundant human remains can all be identified. The fifth decamillennium BP from 50,000 years ago to 40,000 years ago can be connected. The fourth decamillennium BP from 40,000 years to 30,000 years ago can be connected. The third decamillennium BP, from 30,000 years ago to 20,000 years ago can be connected. The second decamillenium BP, from 20,000 years ago to 10,000 years ago can be connected.
There is some consideration of Asiatic peoples, Western civilization, African peoples, and American Indian peoples. Permanent communities began to be established. Social structure and change can be identified more certainly.
The early 8th millennium BC can be connected. The late 8th millennium BC can be connected. The early 7th millennium BC can be connected. The late 7th millennium BC can be connected. The early 6th millennium BC can be connected. The late 6th millennium BC can be connected.
Peoples of the world can be followed through antiquity. Western Civilization was comparatively slow to develop, and much of it was derived from Asiatic peoples. African and American peoples are not as easy to describe. A half dozen or so of the major cities in the world today originated in this period, and many of the cities of this period no longer exist. Social structure and change can be followed to some extent during this period.
Some of the peoples of the world can be followed using archeological investigation. Most of them were fairly localized. European peoples began to adopt Neolithic culture. Asiatic peoples were beginning to adopt agrarian culture. I do not yet have details of African or American Indian peoples. Specific communities existed, but were too small to be included in this site. Social structure and change can be followed to a limited extent. The early 5th millennium BC can be connected. The early mid 5th millennium BC can be connected. The mid 5th millennium BC can be connected. The late mid 5th millennium BC can be connected. The late 5th millennium BC can be connected.
More peoples of the world can be identified and followed in this period using archeological methods. European peoples had adopted Neolithic culture. Among Asiatic peoples, writing began to be developed. I do not yet have details of African or American Indian peoples. Specific communities existed, but none were large enough and persistent enough to be identified on this site, yet. More details are available for the study of social structure and change. The early 4th millennium BC can be connected. The early mid 4th millennium BC can be connected. The mid 4th millennium BC can be connected. The late mid 4th millennium BC can be connected. The late 4th millennium BC can be connected.
More peoples of the world can be identified and followed with the help of the written records that began to appear, but there is some confusion in chronology which makes it difficult to gain a clear picture of civilization. European peoples began to acquire Bronze age cultures. The history of some Asiatic peoples can be followed. I do not yet have details of African or American Indian peoples. Cities grew larger and more numerous, but few were large and persistent enough to be followed yet. Social structure and change can be much more easily traced. I do not yet have details of the early 3rd millennium BC. The early mid 3rd millennium BC can be connected. The mid 3rd millennium BC can be connected. The late mid 3rd millennium BC can be connected. The late 3rd millennium BC can be connected.
Bronze age societies were present in Europe. Among Asian peoples, Bronze age societies prevailed, but the Iron age began. Written records were more common. I know little of African peoples, or American Indian peoples. Cities continued to develop, but few cities important during this time are still important today. Social structure and change can be still more easily followed. The early 2nd millennium BC can be connected. The early mid 2nd millennium BC can be connected. The mid 2nd millennium BC can be connected. The late mid 2nd millennium BC is connected. The late 2nd millennium BC can be connected.
Western or European civilization began to acquire written history, and societies began to adopt Iron age culture. Asiatic peoples remained prominent. I know little of African peoples, or American Indian peoples. Cities continued to develop, but there is not a clear connection to present-day cities. Studies of social structure and change were made. I do not yet have details of the 10th century BC. The 9th century BC can be connected. The 8th century BC can be connected. The 7th century BC has some connection to sociology. The 6th century BC has some connection to sociology.
Peoples of Western civilization began to keep written records. Asiatic peoples continued to be influential. African peoples began to develop a little. American Indian peoples developed largely in isolation from the old world. Some of the cities that persist to the present were founded. Specific social changes can be followed to some extent.
Western civilization was developing. The Greeks were concerned with description of peoples they encountered. Asiatic peoples also recorded information on various cultures. I do not yet have many details of African or American Indian peoples. Cities were important, though few modern cities can be traced to this period. I can consider some elements of social structure and change. The 5th century BC has connections to sociology. The 4th century BC has connections to sociology. The 3rd century BC has connections to sociology. The 2nd century BC can be connected to sociology. The 1st century BC can be connected.
Western Civilization was important. The Romans described many neighboring peoples. Asiatic peoples also flourished. I do not have many details of African or American Indian peoples. Few modern cities can be traced to this period. Social structure and change can be followed somewhat. The 1st century CE has connections to sociology. The 2nd century CE has connections to sociology. The 3rd century CE has connections to sociology. The 4th century CE has connections to sociology. The 5th century CE can be connected to sociology.
Western civilization was in a state of comparative decline. Among Asiatic peoples, Islamic geographers described much of Asia and Africa. I do not yet have many details of African or American Indian peoples. A few modern communities can be traced to this period. Events of this period can be used to examine social structure and change. Studies of the 6th century are just beginning with peoples of the world. Studies of the 7th century are just beginning with peoples of the world. Studies of the 8th century are just beginning with peoples of the world. Studies of the 9th century are just beginning with peoples of the world, nations, and communities. Studies of the 10th century are just beginning with peoples of the world incuding nations and Asiatic and American Indian peoples. Communities are also being considered.
Western Civilization began a renewed process of expansion. The Crusades, the Mongol invasions, and the spice trade drew attention Asia. Asatic civilization remained influential. African peoples were contacted by Islamic geographers and European mariners. American Indian peoples and their civilizations developed, and there were the earliest beginnings of Western contact with them. There was an increasing number of cities that can be followed to modern times. Social structure and change was important. Studies of the 11th century are just beginning with peoples, nations, and Western Civilization, Asiatic and American indian peoples. Studies of the 12th century are just beginning with peoples of the world. Nations, Western Civilization, Asiatic peoples African peoples, and American Indian peoples can be considered. Communities and social structure and change can also be considered. In the 13th century, peoples of the world, nations, and major groups of Western Civilization, Asiatic peoples, African peoples, and American Indian peoples can be connected. Communities can also be considered. Social structure and change can be connected. In the 14th century, there was increasing interconnectedness of world societies. Western Civilization, Asiatic peoples, African peoples, and American Indian peoples can be connected. Communities and social structure and change are beginning to be connected. In the 15th century, Western Civilization began to expand with the discovery of the Americas and a sea route to India. Asiatic peoples were contacted by Western Europeans. Western contacts with much of Africa began. The European discovery of the Americas began. Communities and social structure and change can be connected.
A vast array of material about peoples and cultures has accumulated. Western civilization began to dominate and have a heavy influence on Asiatic, African, and American Indian peoples, but their various contributions enriched it as well. Large cities and communities are abundant, and social structure and change has been examined to various degrees. Developments can be followed through the 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, 19th century, and 20th century.
Various peoples of the world can be considered. Western Civiliation may decline, while Asiatic, African, and American Indian peoples become important. Cities can be considered. Social structure and change including social change, social types, and social structure can be examined.
The near future can be examined using peoples of the world. Western Civilization, Asiatic peoples, African peoples, and American Indian peoples can be connected. Communities are not yet fully connected, and social structure and change remains to be considered. For Next month, I am still developing connections with peoples including nations. Western Civilization, Asiatic peoples, African peoples, and American Indian peoples are being connected. June 2011 is being analyzed using peoples including Western Civilization, Asiatic peoples, African peoples, and American Indian peoples and can be applied to them. January 2010 is not yet well connected. Next quarter can be considered using peoples of the world, communities, and social structure and change. Events of February 2010 and March 2010 can be considered. and next year including the second quarter 2010, third quarter 2010, and fourth quarter 2010 can be examined.
The middle future can also be examined. Peoples of the world including Western Civilization, Asiatic peoples, African peoples, and American Indian peoples can be connected. Communities are not yet fully connected. Social structure and change will be useful. The next five years including 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 might be projected. The next 20 years including events of the late 2010s, early 2020s, late 2020s, early 2030s, and late 2030s can be connected. The next century, and next 5 centuries are increasingly remote.
The far future is almost entirely speculative. Peoples of the world, communities, and social structure and change can perhaps be connected, but it is not at all certain that they will be recognizable after 2000 years, 10,000 years, 50,000 years, 200,000 years, million years, or beyond 1 million years.