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Questions and Answers
What is a fundamental characteristic that distinguishes a city from a rural village?
What is a fundamental characteristic that distinguishes a city from a rural village?
What led to the formation of complex civilizations from agricultural settlements?
What led to the formation of complex civilizations from agricultural settlements?
Which of the following is NOT one of the five characteristics of civilization?
Which of the following is NOT one of the five characteristics of civilization?
How does specialization benefit a civilization?
How does specialization benefit a civilization?
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What phrase best describes the Latin origin of the word civilization?
What phrase best describes the Latin origin of the word civilization?
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Which of the following roles was likely specialized in early civilizations?
Which of the following roles was likely specialized in early civilizations?
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Which characteristic of civilizations specifically relates to the documentation of information?
Which characteristic of civilizations specifically relates to the documentation of information?
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What was the primary outcome of increased food production in early civilizations?
What was the primary outcome of increased food production in early civilizations?
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What role did specialization play for artisans in early civilizations?
What role did specialization play for artisans in early civilizations?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of civilization?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of civilization?
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What was a significant advancement in technology around 3500 B.C.?
What was a significant advancement in technology around 3500 B.C.?
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What does the term 'Bronze Age' refer to?
What does the term 'Bronze Age' refer to?
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What was one of the purposes of writing in early civilizations aside from record keeping?
What was one of the purposes of writing in early civilizations aside from record keeping?
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Where was Ur, one of the earliest cities in Sumer, located?
Where was Ur, one of the earliest cities in Sumer, located?
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What were metals such as copper and tin primarily used for during the Bronze Age?
What were metals such as copper and tin primarily used for during the Bronze Age?
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What function did government serve in early civilizations?
What function did government serve in early civilizations?
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Study Notes
Early Civilizations: Learning Objectives
- Discuss the definition of civilization and its characteristics
- Explain how early civilizations formed, from scavenging to agricultural villages, cities, and finally, civilizations
Complex Societies (Civilization)
- A civilization is a complex human society, typically made up of several cities, with cultural and technological characteristics
- The term "civilization" comes from the Latin word "civitas," meaning "city"
- The basic definition of civilization is a society made up of cities
Civilization's Development
- The development of civilizations depended on the ability of agricultural settlements to consistently produce surplus food
- This surplus allowed some people to specialize in non-agricultural jobs like craftwork, leading to increased production, trade, population growth, and societal complexity
Five Characteristics of Civilization
- Advanced cities: Cities are centers of trade and larger than villages
- Specialized workers: People develop specialized skills like craftsmanship, trade, government, or priesthood
- Complex institutions: Long-lasting organizations like government, religion, or economy
- Record keeping: Systems for documenting laws, taxes, and other important events
- Advanced technology: Tools or technologies like pottery, the wheel, or metalworking improve quality of life and contribute to societal advancement
Advanced Cities
- A city is more than a large group of people living together; it's a center of trade for a larger area
Specialized Workers
- As cities grew, the need for specialized workers like traders, officials, and priests also increased
- Some city dwellers became artisans, skilled workers who crafted goods by hand
- Specialization in different skills improved craftsmanship and made various goods, tools, weapons or clothing
Complex Institutions
- In civilizations, leaders emerged to maintain order and establish laws
- Government is an example of an institution, a long-lasting pattern of organized community structure
- Other institutions include religion and the economy
Record Keeping
- Government officials in early civilizations documented taxes, laws, and grain storage
- People used writing for other purposes like documenting events, wars, trades, natural disasters, and the lives of kings and queens
Advanced Technology
- New tools and techniques were needed as large groups of people lived together
- Around 3500 B.C., people first used the potter's wheel to make jugs, plates, and bowls
- Sumerian metalworkers discovered how to melt copper and tin to create bronze
- The Bronze Age (around 3000 B.C.) saw the shift from using stone to bronze for tools and weapons
Case Study: Ur
- Ur was one of the earliest cities in Sumer, located on the Euphrates River in modern-day southern Iraq
- Ur was a highly sophisticated civilization
Conclusion
- The five characteristics of civilization (advanced cities, specialized workers, complex institutions, record-keeping, and advanced technology) are crucial for understanding how civilizations developed.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of early civilizations, including their definitions, characteristics, and development. Understand how agricultural settlements transformed into complex societies with advanced cities and specialized roles. This quiz will help solidify your knowledge of civilization's growth and significance.
