CivilizationCivilization

Advantages of Agricultural Revolution

• Surplus of food

• The amount of food was no longer limited to the fortune of nature.

• Could build larger communities

• The greater production of food meant that more people could be supported.

• Make permanent settlements

• You didn’t have to move around anymore. You could stay in one place.

• Some people can do things other than survival tasks

• It’s no longer the case that everybody has to be hunting or gathering. Folks can specialize in making pots or tools or art or being the boss.

• Trade goods

• Communities started interacting and exchanging stuff.

As you can imagine, the Neolithic/Agricultural Revolution starts leading to civilization.

Eventually, civilization starts to develop. What are the hallmarks of civilization?

1.Advanced cities

• Not just a bunch of people, but a center of trade for an area as well as a production center for goods

2.Specialized workers

• Now that not everybody has to be hunting and gathering all the time (only a smaller segment of the population is needed for this), some folks can do other things, like make baskets, jewelry, weapons, pots, etc.

3.Complex Institutions

• Organizational entities, such as religious groups and government.

4.Record Keeping

• Keeping a record of activities of the city – this also required a system of writing. Cuneiform is an early example. There’s hieroglyphs in Egypt.

5.Advanced Technology

• Using tools and such that make tasks easier.

Ur is an example of early civilization.

• It’s in modern-day Iraq, but at the time it was Sumerian.

• They traded, farmed, had houses, irrigation, government, religion, etc.

• It was thriving around 3,000 BC

The ZigguratThe Ziggurat

““Mountain of god”Mountain of god” Used for worship and government.Used for worship and government. The “center of the city” The “center of the city” Used to store grains, woven fabrics, Used to store grains, woven fabrics,

and gems.and gems.

CuneiformCuneiform Sumerian form of Sumerian form of

writing.writing. Used a sharpened Used a sharpened

reed to make marks reed to make marks on moist clay.on moist clay.

Baked the clay Baked the clay afterwards to solidify afterwards to solidify the writing.the writing.

First used for record First used for record keeping, later for keeping, later for historical events.historical events.

The first written The first written history!history!

5. Advanced Technology• Using tools and such that make tasks easier.

The Bronze AgeThe Bronze Age Started around 3000 B.C.Started around 3000 B.C. Artisans found that if they mixed copper and tin Artisans found that if they mixed copper and tin

together, they could make bronze.together, they could make bronze. Hardest metal at the time.Hardest metal at the time. Easier and more efficient than using stone.Easier and more efficient than using stone.