1. Ancient Civilizations

2. Toward Civilizations Old Stone Age/Paleolithic Period
From the first toolmakers to ca. 10,000 B.C.
Nomadic way of life
Hunter/gatherer
Made simple tools
Developed spoken language
Clothing – animal skins
Learned to build fires

3. The Growth of Farming
10,000 year ago – beginning of the New Stone Age = Neolithic Period
From nomadic → settled farming life
Established permanent villages
2. Tamed animals
3. Growing
population

4. Beginnings of Civilization
Almost all major world civilizations developed near rivers. Why?
Sumer – between Tigris and Euphrate
Egypt – Nile River
Indus civilization – Indus River
Exceptions: Inca, Olmec, and Maya

5. What is a civilization?
A civilization is a complex, highly organized social order.
The rise of cities was the main feature of civilization.

6. 7 Features of Civilization
Organized Government
Complex Religions
Job Specialization
Social Class
Public Works
Arts and Architecture
Writing

7. 7 Features of a Civilization
Organized Government
Councils of elders
Priests
Warrior kings

8. Features of Civ. Cont. Complex Religions
Most ancient people were polytheistic.
Sun God, River God, other nature Gods.

9. Features of Civ. Cont. Job Specialization
Artisans (skilled craft people: metalworking)
Bricklayers
Merchants
Singers

10. Features of Civ. Cont. Social Class Priests/Nobility was upper class
Wealthy merchants
Artisans
Farmers
Slaves (lowest class)

11. Features of Civ. Cont. Arts and Architecture
Expressed the talents, beliefs, and values of the people who created them.

12. Features of Civ. Cont. Public Works
Irrigation systems, roads, bridges, defensive walls

13. Features of Civ. Cont. Writing
Pictographs – drawings representing objects
Symbols – words, syllables, letters