ABSTRACT
This chapter explains early human societies through the advent of agriculture and the first, river-valley civilizations – a huge chronological span. It discusses the emergence of new studies of time and new instruments to measure it as more organized human societies developed. The chapter explores the more difficult question of why people became interested in time and how, if at all, new ideas and devices affected their lives. Time has a rich history during the long early stages of the human experience, though there is much that remains unknown or imprecise. Interest in time follows from observations of nature and certain basic human needs. Calendar time long generated the greatest attention, both because of practical interest in anticipating seasonal change and because of the ritual needs of many early religions. But other kinds of time generated interest as well, particularly once more complex societies began to emerge.
