The First Civilizations Flashcards
Civilization
a stage of human social and cultural development and organization that is complex
Characteristics of a Civilization
- 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
Cities
an urban center that both supports and is supported by a hinterland of lesser communities
ex. Jericho (Israel), Çatalhöyük (Turkey), Uruk (Iraq)
Characteristics of a City
- complex social organization
- non-kin administration
- specialized trades and craftspeople
- production, trade, religious, administrative centers
- permanent monuments or civic buildings
Jericho (Israel)
- 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)
Çatalhöyük (Turkey)
- 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
Uruk (Iraq): The First True City
- 5500 –1800 years ago
- Sumerian civilization
- 20 000 people
- temples at core of society
- government, military, social classes
- writing: cuneiform tables
- art
- pottery
Egalitarian
no social classes, informal leadership
• the best idea in any situation is the one that leads the group
Ranked
social differentiation but no classes
ex. Neolithic farming communities after 11 700 in near East and North America
Stratified
social classes
State
social classes, citizenship, monopoly on force (military), administrative and governing institutions
Earliest civilizations 4000–3000 years ago
- 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
Mesopotamia (Iraq)
- Uruk, 5500 –1800 years ago
- Ubaid, early farming culture 7500–6200 years
- irrigation and drainage systems → agricultural productivity, pop size ↑ (modification of environment)
Sumerian
- 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
Ziggurat
mud-brick temple-pyramids built on elevated platforms
• control of agriculture
Cuneiform (3100)
administrative tool
used to keep track of algacultural practices and recording history
Arithmetic
development of calendar, clocks
• sexagesimal system (based on 60, ex. seconds, minutes, etc.)
Lower and Upper Egypt
- Upper Egypt chiefdoms
* Lower and Upper Egypt unify (5000 years ago) – Narmer Palette
Egypt
- Pharaohs
- pictographic writing system: hieroglyphics
- Pyramids
- conquered by the Persians 2500 years ago
Indus Valley
- 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
Longshan period (4600–4000 years ago)
- 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)
Shang Dynasty (3600 years ago)
• first historic civilization of China
• elite ruling class
• writing system, divination (fortune telling)
• cast bronze vessel recovered
from Shang tomb: used to worship ancestors
Similarities: Old vs. New World civilizations
- reliance on agriculture
- long distance trade
- social classes with powerful leaders
- monumental architecture and art
- record keeping (writing systems)
- warfare
Differences: Old vs. New World civilizations
- 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
Mesoamerica: Olmec (3200–2400 years ago)
- sites at San Lorenzo and La Venta
- significant landscape modification
- ritualistic sculpture and carving (anthropomorphic: human-like), courtyards, plazas, artificial ponds
- written communication?
- Glyphs
Mesoamerica: Maya (2100 years)
• 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
