Characteristics of a Civilization Civilization A complex culture

Characteristics of a Civilization

Civilization: A complex culture with five basic characteristics. Advanced cities Specialized Complex Record workers institutions Keeping Advanced Technology

Advanced Cities City is a center of trade for a larger area, population is not the main determination in the labeling of a city.

Specialized Workers As cities grew the need for specialized labor increased. Specialization- the development of skills in a specific kind of work. An abundant food supply allowed people to become experts in jobs besides farming; traders, government officials, priests. Artisans- skilled workers who make goods by hand. Specialization helped artisans develop skill at a craft.

Complex Institutions Long lasting pattern of organization in a community. Examples; government, religion, economy, and education. Rising populations made government, a system of ruling, necessary. In civilizations leaders emerged to maintain order and establish law. Religion became a formal institution with growth of cities.

Record Keeping Government officials documented tax collections, passing laws, and storage of crops. Religious officials needed some way to keep track of the yearly calendar and religious rituals. Merchants had to record accounts of debts and payment. Some civilizations used scribes- professional record keepers. People began to use writing for other purposes besides record keeping

Advanced Technology Early civilization farmers harnessed the power of animals and nature, ox-drawn plows and irrigation systems. Early civilizations discovered melting metal together to create tools and weapons. Metals such as Bronze and Copper. Bronze Age- refers to the time when people began using bronze, rather than stone