1. Early River Valley Civilizations
Unit 1, September 1st and 5th

2. River valley civilizations

3. 1. Egypt
It started at the northern most peak of the Nile River and each July the Nile flooded leaving behind new fertile soil
It was protected by the water of the Nile and desert, allowing it to grow
Produced a 365 day calendar based on astronomy, developed early geometry, and hieroglyphics was created for communication
Polytheistic – belief in many gods – with 2,000 gods and goddesses
They believe in life after death and developed mummification – preserve the body using linen and preservatives

4. Pharaohs were seen as gods –ruled as a theocracy
Using math and engineering, Egyptians built magnificent monuments – pyramids (tombs) – to honor dead rulers
Social classes:
Pharaoh
People of wealth (priests, army, govt.)
Middle class (merchants & craftsman)
Peasants
Slaves
Women had same rights as men
Pharaoh = great house

5. 2. Mesopotamia
It was located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, which became the basis for its wealth
Known as the ‘Fertile Crescent’ – arc of land between the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean – and in modern day Iraq
One of their greatest accomplishments was the invention of the earliest known writing system - cuneiform
Known for their metalwork, woolen textiles and pottery
They invented the wheel, plow, sail & were first to use bronze
Polytheistic
Gods are thought to control forces of nature
• Gods behave as humans do, but people are gods’ servants
• Life after death is bleak and gloomy

6. Around 3300 BC the Sumerians began farming Mesopotamia
Organization, leadership, and laws are the beginning of a civilization
Social classes:
Upper class – kings, priests, warriors
Middle class – merchants, farmers, fisherman
Lower class – slaves
Women have many rights
Environmental disadvantages
Problem solving
Floods are unpredictable; sometimes no rain
They built ditches to control water and produce crops
Land offers no barrier to invasions
They built walled cities for defense
Land has few natural resources, so building materials are scarce
They traded grain, cloth and tools for raw materials – stone, wood, metal
Sumerians have social classes —kings, landholders, priests at top
• Wealthy merchants next; at lowest levels are slaves
• Women have many rights; become priests, merchants, artisans

8. 3. Indus/Harrapan
The Indus Valley civilization started around 2500 BCE and built well-planned cities – known as Harrapan Civilization
Naturally bordered by the Arabian Sea and the Himalaya Mountains
Monsoons dominated their climate and floods along the river were unpredictable
Developed irrigations systems and engineers created plumbing and sewage systems
Economy depended on trade with other people, including Mesopotamia

9. Had a writing system of 400 symbols, which is still undeciphered
Cities appeared uniform in culture with no social divisions – cities were built up to protect against floods and streets in a grid system
Animals were important to society
Priests were closely linked to rulers and religious artifacts show links to modern Hinduism
They declined around 1750 BC due to earthquakes. Floods, & soil depletion

10. 4. China
Began around 2000 BCE along the Yellow River valley and Yangtze Rivers
The two rivers merged to create a great food-procuring area, as China was isolated and lacked outside trade
Family was very important in their culture– women expected to obey all men
Social classes:
King and warrior-nobles lead society
Upper class lives inside city walls
Poor people live outside city walls
King ruled, but his kingdom was divided into different territories that were ruled by warlords

11. Iron metallurgy was used for farming tools, utensils and weapons because of its strength
The Zhou Dynasty in 1000 BC built roads, canals, made coins
They worshipped their dead ancestors and used Oracle Bones – inscribed animal bones – to consult gods
Their writing system used symbols to represent syllables and the number of characters made it hard to learn
Mandate of heaven – the belief that a just ruler had divine approval to rule