Early Civilizations Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of civilizations that involves a long-lasting pattern of organization in a community?

Taxation

Artisanship

Government (correct)

Trade networks

Which technology was first used around 3500 B.C. to aid in the creation of pottery?

The printing press

The bronze furnace

The loom

The potter’s wheel (correct)

What was the significance of the Bronze Age in relation to tools and weapons?

It began the exclusive use of stone tools.

It marked the end of agriculture.

It indicated the shift from copper and stone to bronze. (correct)

It led to the invention of writing.

Why did early civilizations begin to use writing beyond record keeping?

To recount dramatic events and histories Signup and view all the answers

In the context of early civilizations, what role did artisans play?

They created goods by hand using specialized skills. Signup and view all the answers

What key function did government officials serve in early civilizations?

Documenting tax collections and laws Signup and view all the answers

What geographical feature was significant to the development of the city of Ur in Sumer?

The Euphrates River Signup and view all the answers

What advanced technology was discovered by Sumerian metalworkers that contributed to the Bronze Age?

Alloying copper with tin to create bronze Signup and view all the answers

What is the basic definition of civilization?

A complex society usually consisting of different cities Signup and view all the answers

What was crucial for the formation of early civilizations?

The consistent production of surplus food Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the five characteristics of civilization?

Informal trade practices Signup and view all the answers

What role do specialized workers play in a civilization?

They engage in various non-agricultural jobs Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the concept of advanced cities?

Advanced cities are central trade hubs for larger areas Signup and view all the answers

What does record keeping facilitate in early civilizations?

It enables the documentation of trade transactions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly represents the relationship between surplus food production and civilization?

Surplus food production leads to increased trade Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of complex institutions in a civilization?

They include various structures like government and religion Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Early Civilizations: Learning Objectives

Discuss the definition of civilization and its different characteristics
Explain how early civilizations were formed (from scavenging to agricultural villages to cities to civilizations)

Complex Societies (Civilization)

A civilization is a complex human society, usually made up of different cities, with specific characteristics of culture and technology.
The word "civilization" comes from the Latin word "civitas" or "city".
The most basic definition of civilization is a society made up of cities.

Complex Societies (Civilization) - Advent and Characteristics

The advent of civilization depended on the ability of agricultural settlements to consistently produce surplus food.
This allowed people to specialize in other non-agricultural work, increasing production, trade, population, and allowing for complex societies (civilization) to develop.
Five characteristics of a civilization:
- Advanced cities
- Specialized workers
- Complex institutions
- Record keeping
- Advanced technology

Advanced Cities

A city is more than a large group of people living together.
The size of the population alone does not distinguish a village from a city.
A key difference between a city and a village is that a city is a center of trade for a larger area.

Specialized Workers

As cities grew, there was a greater need for more specialized workers (e.g., traders, government officials, and priests).
Specialization—development of skills in a specific kind of work.
Skilled workers (artisans) made goods by hand: jewelry, metal tools and weapons, clothing, and pottery.

Complex Institutions

Leaders emerged to maintain order and establish laws.
Government is an example of a lasting pattern of organization in a community.
Examples of complex institutions: governments, religion, and economic systems.

Record Keeping

Government officials in early civilizations had to document tax collections, the passage of laws, and the storage of grain.
People also used writing for other purposes, such as recording events in cities, wars, natural disasters, and the reigns of kings.

Advanced Technology

New tools and techniques were needed to solve problems in increasingly large societies
The potter's wheel was invented around 3500 B.C. to shape jugs, plates, and bowls.
Sumerian metalworkers discovered that combining copper and tin created bronze around 3000 B.C.
Bronze was used in tools and weapons, signifying an advancement in technology.

Case Study: City of Ur

Ur, one of the earliest cities in Sumer, was located on the banks of the Euphrates River in southern Iraq.
Ur was a highly sophisticated civilization:
- Ziggurat: a massive temple
- Court of Nanna: a sacred place
- Home of the High Priestess
- Surrounding Walls
- Temples and Treasury
- Royal Cemetery

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Description

Explore the foundational concepts of early civilizations, including their definitions and characteristics. Learn how agricultural advancements led to the formation of complex societies and the rise of cities. This quiz helps illuminate the critical aspects that define civilization.