Early Cities and Urban Civilizations

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Questions and Answers

What term is suggested as more appropriate than 'primary civilisations'?

Original populations

Ancient cultures

The earliest civilisations (correct)

Foundational societies

Which figure is associated with the concept of town planning in ancient Greece?

Herodotus of Halicarnassus

Hippodamus of Miletus (correct)

Aristotle of Stagira

Plato of Athens

What is the timeline for the initial urban planning system in the Indus Valley?

Around 1500 BC

Around 2150 BC (correct)

Around 3000 BC

Around 1000 BC

What significant architectural assessment occurred in the 1970s and 1980s?

The gridiron system in Ancient Egypt Signup and view all the answers

Which civilization is mentioned as influential for the development of Western cultures?

The Mesopotamian culture Signup and view all the answers

What complex archaeological question is posed regarding the Harappans?

Their migration patterns Signup and view all the answers

What is Kahun's claim in relation to urban planning?

First site of gridiron town planning Signup and view all the answers

Which term is used to describe the initial three civilizations mentioned?

Dead cultures Signup and view all the answers

What characterized each of the three main phases in the evolution of early urban civilizations?

Innovations in the economic sphere Signup and view all the answers

Which age is considered the first phase in the evolution of urban civilizations?

Palaeolithic Age Signup and view all the answers

What significance does the Bronze Age have in the context of urban civilizations?

It marked the establishment of firmly established civilizations. Signup and view all the answers

Which region is NOT mentioned as one of the locations of early civilizations?

The Niger River Signup and view all the answers

Around when did the Bronze Age start?

3500 BC Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary sources for understanding the first civilizations?

Archaeological findings Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of the phases in early urban civilization?

Population increases Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a location associated with early urban civilizations?

The jungles of Guatemala and Honduras Signup and view all the answers

What major cultural origin occurred in the seventh century AD?

Islamic culture Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following regions experienced a significant urban settlement discussed?

Arabian Peninsula Signup and view all the answers

Which civilization is considered one of the earliest alongside Islamic culture?

Chinese civilization Signup and view all the answers

What historical event is associated with the Anglo-Saxons?

Desertion of Roman London Signup and view all the answers

In terms of age, where does Islamic culture rank compared to American cultures?

Younger than some American cultures Signup and view all the answers

What significant aspect of Chinese civilization is highlighted in the content?

Interruption in development around the 8th century AD Signup and view all the answers

Which period does the establishment of pre-Islamic Arabian culture align with?

Before the seventh century AD Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT correlate with the description of Chinese civilization?

It maintained continuous development since its inception Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Early Cities

Urban civilizations have three main phases:
- Palaeolithic Age (at least half a million years ago to 10000 BC)
- Proto-Neolithic/Neolithic Ages (following Palaeolithic)
- Bronze Age (3500-3000 BC).
The Bronze Age saw the establishment of the first urban civilizations.
Archaeological evidence shows the earliest civilizations in:
- Southern Mesopotamia
- Egypt
- Indus Valley
- Yellow River Valley in China
- Valley of Mexico
- Jungles of Guatemala and Honduras
- Coastlands and highlands of Peru
These civilizations developed independently.
The earliest civilizations emerged in different time periods.
Mesopotamia influenced the development of urban settlement in the Arabian Peninsula, in which Islamic culture originated in the seventh century AD.
New archaeological reassessments have occurred, questioning previous understanding of the first cities.
Early human population estimates (imprecise due to lack of firm data):
- Lower Paleolithic (1,000,000 years ago) 125,000
- Middle Paleolithic (300,000 years ago) 1,000,000
- Upper Paleolithic (25,000 years ago) 3,340,000
- Mesolithic (before 10,000 years ago) 5,320,000
The development of settled agriculture was originally thought to be the prerequisite for urban development, but this theory was challenged in the 1960s.
The sites of Çatal Hüyük and Jericho are exceptionally early urban settlements, possibly predating Mesopotamian civilization.
The development of agriculture involved humans controlling food supply through cultivation and domestication. This was a major shift, transforming the economy to a growing level.
The development of cities was influenced by environment factors including topography and climate.
Early cities had limited access to materials and technology. Materials, such as bricks and stone, determined size, height of walls, and size of openings.
Pre-existing boundaries like drainage ditches or property boundaries played a role in how cities developed.
Cities included building developments for trade, politics (for example, fortifications) and religious purposes.
Urban planning principles and legal rules were considered and put into consideration, for example, the gridiron system of town planning.
Important factors in urban development (and urban form):
- Trade
- Political power (and defence)
- Religious purposes
- Beauty (aesthetic)
Early urban planning may have been dominated by religious concerns with a focus on ceremonial activities.

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Description

Explore the origins of urban civilizations starting from the Palaeolithic Age through the Bronze Age. This quiz delves into the archaeological evidence of early societies across various regions, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley. Understand how these civilizations independently developed and influenced future cultures.