The First Civilizations

Question 1

Civilization

Answer 1

a stage of human social and cultural development and organization that is complex

Question 2

Characteristics of a Civilization

Answer 2

• large population centres/urban areas
• form of government/administration • specialization of labour
• traditions and other shared cultural practices
• monuments, architecture and art forms
• shared communication strategies (ex. writing)
• social stratification/class system
• stability and expansion requires trade, conflict and exploration

Question 3

Cities

Answer 3

an urban center that both supports and is supported by a hinterland of lesser communities

ex. Jericho (Israel), Çatalhöyük (Turkey), Uruk (Iraq)

Question 4

Characteristics of a City

Answer 4

• complex social organization
• non-kin administration
• specialized trades and craftspeople
• production, trade, religious, administrative centers
• permanent monuments or civic buildings

Question 5

Jericho (Israel)

Answer 5

• 11 500 years ago
• first permanent sedentary community. Not a “true” city but preserves many characteristics of cities to come
• hundreds of permanent houses within walled and trenched settlement, stone tower, evidence of food surplus and storage
• trade: salt, tar, sulfur, shells, obsidian, turquoise (included in burials)

Question 6

Çatalhöyük (Turkey)

Answer 6

• 9000 years ago
• complex settlement
• 8000 residents
• 2000 houses: multi-level, access via roof, no windows or doors, art!
• burials within homes
• no public architecture
• hunting and gathering + farming of domesticated plants and animals

Question 7

Uruk (Iraq): The First True City

Answer 7

• 5500 –1800 years ago
• Sumerian civilization
• 20 000 people
• temples at core of society
• government, military, social classes
• writing: cuneiform tables
• art
• pottery

Question 8

Egalitarian

Answer 8

no social classes, informal leadership

• the best idea in any situation is the one that leads the group

Question 9

Ranked

Answer 9

social differentiation but no classes

ex. Neolithic farming communities after 11 700 in near East and North America

Question 10

Stratified

Answer 10

social classes

Question 11

State

Answer 11

social classes, citizenship, monopoly on force (military), administrative and governing institutions

Question 12

Earliest civilizations 4000–3000 years ago

Answer 12

• cities and states are the buildings blocks of civilization
• Mesopotamia (Iraq) 4900 years
• Egypt
• Indus Valley (Pakistan and India) 2500 years
• China 1500 years
• Central America (Mexico) 1200 years

Question 13

Mesopotamia (Iraq)

Answer 13

• Uruk, 5500 –1800 years ago
• Ubaid, early farming culture 7500–6200 years
• irrigation and drainage systems → agricultural productivity, pop size ↑ (modification of environment)

Question 14

Sumerian

Answer 14

• first complex urban civilization in the region of Sumer, 4900–4350 years ago
• encompassed ~12 city-states, ex. Uruk (city), Ubaid (citystate)
• true social stratification with kings chosen by the gods
• warfare

Question 15

Ziggurat

Answer 15

mud-brick temple-pyramids built on elevated platforms

• control of agriculture

Question 16

Cuneiform (3100)

Answer 16

administrative tool

used to keep track of algacultural practices and recording history

Question 17

Arithmetic

Answer 17

development of calendar, clocks

• sexagesimal system (based on 60, ex. seconds, minutes, etc.)

Question 18

Lower and Upper Egypt

Answer 18

• Upper Egypt chiefdoms

* Lower and Upper Egypt unify (5000 years ago) – Narmer Palette

Question 19

Egypt

Answer 19

• Pharaohs
• pictographic writing system: hieroglyphics
• Pyramids
• conquered by the Persians 2500 years ago

Question 20

Indus Valley

Answer 20

• 4600–3900 years ago
• architectural planning: irrigation, retaining walls, platforms, sewer systems (!!!), but no monumental architecture
• specialized metallurgy: copper, tin, silver, gold, etc.
• trade goods: dyed cloth, pottery, shell, precious metals

Question 21

Longshan period (4600–4000 years ago)

Answer 21

• distinct social classes
• ritualistic behaviour (ancestor worship, human sacrifice)
• warfare
• walled towns
• rich were recognized in burial goods (fine pottery, carved jade artefacts, bronze and copper industry)

Question 22

Shang Dynasty (3600 years ago)

Answer 22

• first historic civilization of China
• elite ruling class
• writing system, divination (fortune telling)
• cast bronze vessel recovered
from Shang tomb: used to worship ancestors

Question 23

Similarities: Old vs. New World civilizations

Answer 23

• reliance on agriculture
• long distance trade
• social classes with powerful leaders
• monumental architecture and art
• record keeping (writing systems)
• warfare

Question 24

Differences: Old vs. New World civilizations

Answer 24

• differences with Old World civilizations
• food production: reliance on plant domesticates
• lack of metal technology
• low reliance on the wheel, watercraft
• differences reflective of tradition, resources, geography

Question 25

Mesoamerica: Olmec (3200–2400 years ago)

Answer 25

• sites at San Lorenzo and La Venta
• significant landscape modification
• ritualistic sculpture and carving (anthropomorphic: human-like), courtyards, plazas, artificial ponds
• written communication?
• Glyphs

Question 26

Mesoamerica: Maya (2100 years)

Answer 26

• trade networks
• complex tools
• class-based society
• religion
• warfare
• writing system: hieroglyphics, codices (books)
• Architecture: stepped limestone
pyramids, palaces, ball courts, stelae
• organized sport: ball courts 3000 years ago