1. Neolithic Revolution
Early humans were nomadic hunters & gatherers & had to move around to find their food

2. Neolithic Revolution Farming changed the way humans lived:
Around 8,000 B.C., the Neolithic Revolution occurred & early humans discovered how to farm & domesticate animals
People no longer had to be nomads
Food surpluses led to population increases
Farming villages became established along river valleys for their good soil & irrigation

3. Neolithic Revolution: Spread of Agriculture

4. Neolithic Revolution
Around 3,000 B.C., some farming villages became complex civilizations. Brainstorm: What characteristics are needed to makes people a “civilization”? ?
Advanced cities

5. 1.) Cities
As farmers settled in fertile river valleys, they began to grow a surplus Extra food increased the population

6. 2.) Writing
Records were needed to keep accounts on trade goods and food storage. Writing was needed because the information became too great to spread by word of mouth alone.

7. Ancient Mesopotamians used a writing system called cuneiform; it used a wedge shaped tool to make imprints in clay. Ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphics to communicate; as system that consisted of images standing in for words or sounds.

8. 3.) Organized Central Government
As cities developed the food supply and irrigation systems needed to be maintained. Governments began to oversee the business and existence of the cities.

9. 4.) Public Works
The government would build these to aid and benefit the community. A wall to protect from attack, or a canal to aid in irrigation, would help insure the survival of a people.

10. 5.) Job Specialization
As civilizations became more complex, artisans and craftsmen were needed to maintain specific items and tasks. People needed to choose specific skills to learn and focus on.. teaching, scribing , stonecutting, etc.

11. 6.) Social Classes
As jobs became specialized so did the status and needs of certain individuals. People who had more unique skills, such as writing or craft more status. The slave was on the lowest rung of the social ladder; Warriors, priests, and kings were on top.

12. Ancient Egyptian Social Stratification

13. 7.) Complex Religions
Most early civilizations were polytheistic (believed in multiple gods). Gods and goddesses usually represented the natural or social elements that were important to the society (sun, river, death, etc.)

15. 8.) Art & Architecture
This expressed the beliefs and values of a civilization. Different styles were developed and copied by societies.

16. The 8 characteristics of civilization all contribute to a civilization’s culture; the beliefs, customs, arts, etc. of a particular group, place, or time.

17. As civilizations became larger they ended up having more and more interaction with each other through trade, travel, writing, and religion. These interactions led to societies exchanging goods, beliefs, and ideas; a process called cultural diffusion.

18. The Neolithic Revolution