72 i PERIOD 1 Technological and Environmental Transformations (to c. 600 B.C.E.)
- E—The traditions of the Vedas became an inte-
gral part of Indian society. Sanskrit, the language
of the Aryans, was originally an oral language
only (A). Aryan society consisted of a number of
classes based on skin color, which would become
the foundation of the Hindu caste system (B).
Aryans were nomadic peoples who learned of
agriculture from the Dravidian people of India
(C). The society of classical India was divided by
thejati, or subcastes of the Hindu caste system
(D). - D—The Shang brought the settlements of
northern China under the control of a central-
ized government. Shang dynasty artisans worked
extensively in bronze (A). The Shang were the
first Chinese dynasty to leave written records
(B). Although natural barriers lessened trade,
the Shang carried out some trade with South
Asia and Southwest Asia (C). A number of cities
arose in China under the Shang (E).
7. B—The rugged Andean terraine hindered polit-
ical unity. Early South American societies were
organized into local governments (A) and knew
the use of copper (C). Trade with the north was
limited because of geographical barriers (D),
preventing South American societies from build-
ing upon the traditions of Mesoamerica (E).
8. B—The legend of Quetzalcóatl diffused through-
out early Mesoamerican cultures and civiliza-
tions. The invention of the wheel (A) was an
independent contribution of the Sumerians.
The cultivation of potatoes (C) was limited
to the early Andean societies and civilizations.
Harappan sewage systems (D) were unique to
the people of the Indus valley civilization.