WHAP CRAM PACKET: Period 1 ? Technological & Environmental Transformations, to 600 B.C.E. (5% of the APWH Exam) Period 2 ? Organization & Reorganization, 600 B.C.E. ? 600 C.E. (15% of the APWH Exam) Climate Climate has been a major factor in determining where people settled. Peopled settled in areas that has climates that would accommodate agriculture and livestock. Time Periods The Paleolithic Age refers to about 12,000 BC. During this time people were nomadic. The Neolithic Age refers to the age from about 12,000 BC to about 8000 BC. It is during this time that people settled in communities and civilization began to emerge. River Valley Civilizations refers to about 3500 to 1500 BC. The major River Valleys are described below.