1. The First Civilizations
3000 B.C.E B.C.E.

2. Civilization-the term
Emerged in some agricultural societies
Formed 1st in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley (and later China, Americas)
Definition is subjective

3. 8 Characteristics of Early Civilizations
Urban Development
Centralized Government
Specialized skills and occupations
Social Classes
Monument building
Record-keeping
Long-distance trade
Science and the arts

4. Mesopotamia (Region) “Cradle of Civilization”
City-state organization under lugals
Cuneiform writing (Epic of Gilgamesh)
Ziggurats
Code of Hammurabi
Sail, plow, wheel

5. Sumerian City-State of Ur

6. Hammurabi’s Code-circa 1760 BCE

7. Egypt Nile River Centralized gov’t under divine pharaohs Hieroglyphics
Pyramids
Mummification

8. Indus Valley Urban centers of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro
Extensive trade w/Mesopotamia
Undeciphered language and lack of artifacts
Collapsed by 1700BCE (why?)

9. Harappan brick-always 4x2x1

10. Harappa Granary

11. Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro

12. Mohenjo-Daro Statues

13. Shang China Began later (around 1500BCE) Huang He (Yellow) River
Divination
Bronze
Oracle Bone