Cradles of Civilization What is a civilization? What makes up a civilization?

What is a civilization? A civilization is the process by which a society or place reaches an advanced stage of development and organization

Characteristics of a civilization Means of subsistence/agricultural surplus Farming, livestock, lodging, etc. Government Law code, leadership, citizenry

Characteristics of a civilization Written language and records Job Specialization Division of labor, people assume different roles and address different needs Cuneiform Hieroglyphics

Characteristics of a civilization Social Classes Often based on wealth, race/ethnicity and/or education Economics Trading and bartering, monetary exchanges

Characteristics of a civilization Education/Technology Academic or trade specific Religion/Spirituality Either formal established religion or moral/ethical teachings

Where did civilizations begin? Civilizations first began along river valleys between 3500-500 BCE The earliest civilizations developed in Africa, Mesopotamia and Asia In Mesopotamia civilizations popped up along the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers In Africa we find the Egyptians who developed along the Nile River Delta

Where did civilizations begin? In India civilizations developed along the Indus and Ganges Rivers In China civilizations first developed along the Huang He (or Yellow River)

River Valley’s Map: The World’s Earliest Civilizations

River Valley’s Map: The World’s Earliest Civilizations Mesopotamia: Euphrates and Tigris Rivers China: Huang He River India: Indus and Ganges Rivers Egypt: Nile River

Social patterns of the earliest civilizations Jobs and positions of power were often hereditary People were born into royalty, thus they had hereditary rulers I.E. Dynasties, Pharaohs, Kings, etc. There were rigid (strict) class systems People were born into social classes Slavery was practiced but it was often not based on race or ethnicity

Political patterns of the earliest civilizations Early civilizations had written laws, which were often drafted by the ruler(s) or the religious hierarchy Examples include Hammurabi’s Code (the oldest known law code) and the Ten Commandments (law code of the Hebrews) There were centralized government which was often based on a religious authority Most rulers were viewed either as divine, demi-gods or mediums to the gods

Economic patterns of the earliest civilizations Built, used, traded and sold metal tools and weapons Agricultural Surplus led the selling and trading of crops and livestock Due to the advancements in tools, irrigation and slavery Trade by rivers and seas Development of cities and markets