1. Cradles of Civilization
What is a civilization? What makes up a civilization?

2. What is a civilization?
A civilization is the process by which a society or place reaches an advanced stage of development and organization

3. Characteristics of a civilization
Means of subsistence/agricultural surplus
Farming, livestock, lodging, etc.
Government
Law code, leadership, citizenry

4. Characteristics of a civilization
Written language and records
Job Specialization
Division of labor, people assume different roles and address different needs
Cuneiform
Hieroglyphics

5. Characteristics of a civilization
Social Classes
Often based on wealth, race/ethnicity and/or education
Economics
Trading and bartering, monetary exchanges

6. Characteristics of a civilization
Education/Technology
Academic or trade specific
Religion/Spirituality
Either formal established religion or moral/ethical teachings

7. Where did civilizations begin?
Civilizations first began along river valleys between BCE
The earliest civilizations developed in Africa, Mesopotamia and Asia
In Mesopotamia civilizations popped up along the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers
In Africa we find the Egyptians who developed along the Nile River Delta

8. Where did civilizations begin?
In India civilizations developed along the Indus and Ganges Rivers
In China civilizations first developed along the Huang He (or Yellow River)

9. River Valley’s Map: The World’s Earliest Civilizations

10. River Valley’s Map: The World’s Earliest Civilizations
Mesopotamia: Euphrates and Tigris Rivers
China: Huang He River
India: Indus and Ganges Rivers
Egypt: Nile River

11. Social patterns of the earliest civilizations
Jobs and positions of power were often hereditary
People were born into royalty, thus they had hereditary rulers
I.E. Dynasties, Pharaohs, Kings, etc.
There were rigid (strict) class systems
People were born into social classes
Slavery was practiced but it was often not based on race or ethnicity

12. Political patterns of the earliest civilizations
Early civilizations had written laws, which were often drafted by the ruler(s) or the religious hierarchy
Examples include Hammurabi’s Code (the oldest known law code) and the Ten Commandments (law code of the Hebrews)
There were centralized government which was often based on a religious authority
Most rulers were viewed either as divine, demi-gods or mediums to the gods

13. Economic patterns of the earliest civilizations
Built, used, traded and sold metal tools and weapons
Agricultural Surplus led the selling and trading of crops and livestock
Due to the advancements in tools, irrigation and slavery
Trade by rivers and seas
Development of cities and markets