The Development of civilization

Civilization Civilization-the most complex form of human social organization Appeared in the last 6000 years, but humans have been around for 100,000 years!

Human Subsistence All animals and humans need the following to survive: Food, at least 1000 calories Water, at least 2.5L per day Temperature regulation Nutrients How has our method of getting these changed?

1. Foraging Mobile-no housing Limited food storage Lack of material culture Lack of emphasis on social ranking Lack of emphasis on possession Lots of oral traditions in their histories

2. Pastoralism Practice of herding animals to provide subsistence Follow a complex seasonal cycle Examples include the Samburu people of North Kenya who herd cattle Pastoralists eat some meat, but rely more on the animals for secondary products Have moderate food storage Some material culture (decorations) Some emphasis on social ranking and possessions

3. Horticulture Moderate reliance on food storage Strong emphasis on symbolic material culture Strong emphasis on social ranking Strong emphasis on possession because they take so much time investing in their land!

4. Agriculture Total reliance on food storage Very strong emphasis on symbolic material culture Strong emphasis on social ranking Strong emphasis on possession Farming has been around for 10,000 years, but did not immediately lead to civilizations

Human Social Organization Bands-small groups of foragers who travel long distances, no one really in power Tribes-larger than bands and travel less, have chiefs that influence but are not very powerful Chiefdoms-rely on horticulture, led by hereditary elites, power is mainly that of coercion and influence States/civilizations-massive and strict division of the population into classes, largely sedentary, rely on agriculture

Characteristics of Civilizations 14 characteristics that most agree are indicators of civilizations Every characteristic connects with other characteristics Many of the characteristics were supported from the beginning of a surplus of food

14 Characteristics Urbanization Long-distance trade Social stratification Record-keeping/writing Standing armies and warfare Money Slavery Territorial Sovereignty Vassal tribute Non-food production specialists Astronomy/math Monumental architecture State religion Taxes

Forgotten Ancient Civilizations Aksum Kush Yam The Xiongnu Empire Greco-Bactria Yuezhi The Mitanni Kingdom Tuwana Mauryan Empire Indo-Greeks From http://listverse.com/2013/09/16/10-forgotten-ancient-civilizations/

Homework Pick an ancient civilization. Research what it was like. Why is it considered a civilization? Relate it back to the 14 characteristics that are indicators of a civilization. Write at least one sentence about each characteristic and your ancient civilization. If your civilization does not have all 14 characteristics, expand on the ones that it does have.