The Beginnings OF CIVILIZATION

Irrigation Irrigation is the process of supplying land with water from another place using a network of canals.

Advantages of a Settled Life Though farming was harder work than hunting/gathering, it provided one key aspect. Surplus is more than what is needed. Farming provided more food than necessary. Recall: Whats the benefit of having a surplus?

The Population Grows Hunting/Gathering did not allow for large families, farming does. Large families need food. With a surplus of food, the population began to grow.

Early Villages and Towns We got food. We got people. What to do now? Some people became artisans. Artisans are workers who specialty is crafting items by hand.

THINKKKKKKKKK What do cities need to have?

The Earliest Cities Cities, OF COURSE, are larger than the small farming villages. We now get to see aspects that are in modern cities: food storage, temples, government buildings, and shops.

The Earliest Cities Governments were formed also in these early cities. The idea behind the government was keep order in society and provide service. How is this the same today?

The First Civilizations We are leaving the Stone Age. Sorry you cavemen enthusiasts out there. Humans are now civilized. A civilization is a society that has cities, a central government run by official leaders, and workers who specialize in various jobs. Also included is writing, art, and writing.

The Bronze Age Around 6600 B.C, humans discovered that melting rocks at certain temperatures could yield METALS. The first we found was copper, but it is very fragile. However, when you mix it with tin, you get bronze. Bronze was much stronger than copper. Tools became more durable and long-lasting. Weaponry was also enhanced.

Trade and the Spread of Ideas (KNOWLEDGE) I got a bunch of wheat in my city but little bronze. You have a ton of bronze but little wheat. What’s going to happen. Idea: lets trade. With our horses and cows pulling our carts, we can now go from city to city to trade our surplus goods.

DISCUSSION ON IDEAS AND KNOWLEDGE!!!! YAYYYYYYYY!!!!

Social Classes Develop A result of the growth of cities is the development of social classes. Social Class is a group of people with similar backgrounds, income, and ways of living. Does this still exist today?