Warm-up GRAB AN INDEX CARD and answer This: what do you think the greatest invention of all time is?

Neolithic Revolution Some hunters & gatherers were advanced, but were never able to develop complex societies because they had to migrate to find food Early humans were nomadic hunters & gatherers & had to move around to find their food

Neolithic Revolution Farming changed the way humans lived: Around 8,000 B.C., the Neolithic Revolution occurred & early humans discovered how to farm & domesticate animals People no longer had to be nomads Food surpluses led to population increases Farming villages became established along river valleys for their good soil & irrigation

Neolithic Revolution: Spread of Agriculture

Neolithic Revolution Around 3,000 B.C., some farming villages became complex civilizations. Brainstorm: What characteristics are needed to make people a “civilization”? ? Advanced cities

SCAAR WORKSHEET

Characteristics of Civilizations If you are a citizen of an Ancient civilization, Check your SCAAR!

Characteristics of Civilizations S = Specialized Workers Civilizations must have specialized workers to complete all the work within cities and to create social systems Leaders, soldiers, builders, farmers, priests, weavers, potters, scribes, officials

Characteristics of Civilizations C = Complex Institutions Civilizations must have complex institutions like government and religion to keep order Formal governments had officials and laws Religion had priests, ceremonies and temples

Characteristics of Civilizations A = Advanced Cities Civilizations must have advanced cities which provided centers of trade and protection Uruk, Lagash and Umma were cities with populations of 10,000 – 50,000

Characteristics of Civilizations A = Advanced Technology Civilizations must have advanced technologies that make life easier Around 3000 BCE the wheel, the plow and the sailboat were invented and used daily

Characteristics of Civilizations R = Record Keeping Civilizations must have record keeping (writing) to keep records of taxes, laws and trade Cuneiform tablets is one example of early record keeping

Characteristics of Civilizations Check your SCAAR! S = Specialized Workers C = Complex Institutions A = Advanced Cities A = Advanced Technologies R = Record Keeping

Processing Activity Now that we have defined the characteristics of a “civilization” Is the United States a civilization? Give at least 3 examples to support your answer. Draw an picture that supports your answer. Review the Neolithic Revolution… Neolithic Revolution Definition- Why Important? Visual