The Development of State Civilization

Question 1

What is a state society?

Answer 1

Rigidly stratified society where the rulers control/collect taxes, establish + enforce laws, and organize peoples work for the state.

Question 2

What are the seven characteristics of a state society?

Answer 2

Food surplus, large dense population, social stratification, formal government, labour specialization, a system of record keeping, and monumental works

Question 3

What are some indications of social stratification?

Answer 3

Housing, diets, bodily conditions at death, burials, and monumental architecture dedication

Question 4

Why did civilizations or stratified societies emerge?

Answer 4

Outgrowths of administrations due the development of irrigation, outgrowth of administration due to development of trade, population growth, and warfare

Question 5

Where was Mesopotamia?

Answer 5

Present day Irag, Syria, and Iran in the area of land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers

Question 6

What is the significance of Mesopotamia?

Answer 6

World’s earliest urban societies

Question 7

Movement towards civilization first occured in Southern Mesopotamia in the region called ______.
______ represent the first urban civilization.

Answer 7

Sumer; Sumerians

Question 8

Describe the Ubaid period of Mesopotamia.

Answer 8

5000-40,000BC
The earliest well represented period in S. Mesopotamia characterized by irrigation systems and larger settlements, as well as evidence of increasing complexity.

Question 9

Describe the Uruk period of Mesopotamia.

Answer 9

The first urban sites characterized by defining features of civilization

Question 10

What is Uruk and it’s significance?

Answer 10

Oldest city known in the world– largest city in a region surrounded by villages that grew around central temple precinct. The temples controlled distribution of food and power was held by religious elites.

Question 11

Describe the Dynastic period of Mesopotamia.

Answer 11

A series of competing city-states developed in Southern Mesopotamia

Question 12

Define city-state.

Answer 12

A city-state is a self-governing city and surrounding territory

Question 13

What is Ur, Mesopotamia?

Answer 13

A significant Early Dynastic period city-state extensively excavated by Leonard Woolley to reveal a large cemetery, administration buildings, palaces, and temples

Question 14

What is a Ziggurat?

Answer 14

Sumerian mud brick temples with several stepped platforms with a temple at the top.

Question 15

Ur has one of the most complete _______ temples.

Answer 15

Ziggurat

Question 16

Describe the findings at Pu-abi’s Tomb in Ur.

Answer 16

Pu-abi was buried in an elaborate headdress made of gold as well as enormous wealth, sacrificial victims, and a cylinder seal containing her name and title.

Question 17

What are the five stages in the development of writing in Mesopotamia?

Answer 17

(1) clay tokens of 16 basic shapes
(2) 300 forms of clay tokens with elaborate markings
(3) stored tokens in clay containers called envelopes with token impressions on the outside
(4) tokens pressed into clay tablets
(5) tokens no longer used to make impressions in flattened clay, stylus instead

Question 18

True or false? Mesopotamians used cylinder seals as self-identification devices.

Answer 18

True

Question 19

Tells: Mounds of accumulated rubble representing the site of an ________ ______.

Answer 19

ancient city