5 Characteristics of a Civilization Unit 3 Early Civilizations

Advanced Cities Cities are key features of civilizations Center of trade for a large area and usually high in population Cities are also centers of political. economic, and religious life

Specialized Workers Surpluses of food allow people to specialize in jobs outside of agriculture (jobs besides farming) Specialization- the development of skills in a specific kind of work Examples are artisans that make tools, jewelry, weapons and pottery, and traders, government officials and priests

Complex Institutions Complex institutions include government (law codes), religion, and the economy. High Populations made governments and systems of ruling necessary because the help organize, unite, and help civilization to prosper

Record Keeping As Government, religion, and the economy became more complex, the people recognized that there was a need to keep records (write them down). Most civilizations developed a form of writing while others devised different methods of record keeping Allows people to record history, ideas, and literature that can then be shared

Advanced Technology New tools and techniques invented to aid with farming and to help make other tasks easier (working with metals, pottery, etc.). New tools and weapons developed that made the world more orderly