On the Road to Complex Societies RIVER VALLEY











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On the Road to Complex Societies RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATIONS
Civilization � Complex � Five Society Characteristics 1. Advanced Cities 2. Specialized Workers 3. Complex Institutions 4. Record Keeping 5. Improved Technology
Advanced Cities � Larger Population � Center of Trade � Core of political, economic and religious life
Specialized Workers � Surplus of food specialization � Specialization: development of specific skill � Artisans, merchants, priests, metalworkers, government officials, scribes and soldiers
Complex Institutions � Institution: pattern of community organization � United population and created social order 1. Government- create laws 2. Economy- money, taxes, trade 3. Religion- temples/churches, priests& scribes, polytheistic › Involved economic and political affairs
Record Keeping � Need for WRITTEN language › Laws › Religious dates and rituals › Trade transactions and taxes � Cuneiform (Sumerian) › Pictographs on clay tablets Beginning of WRITTEN HISTORY � Natural Disasters � Wars � Reign of Kings � Literature
Improved Technology � � Use tools & technology to improve life (solve problems) Irrigation: way of watering fields to grow more crops � Bronze Age: 2500 B. C. Mix of tin and copper Used bronze to create tools and weapons Ex. Sumerian bronze spearheads
Road to Complex Settled Societies 1. Nomadic Hunter-Gatherers 2. Neolithic Revolution 3. Villages and Irrigation 4. Specialization and Trade 5. Need for Structure
1. Nomadic Hunter-Gatherers Clans of 10 -30 people hunt animals and gather foods, constantly move to find food source 2. Neolithic Revolution Develop agriculture and domestication of animals FOOD SURPLUS --> POPULATION INCREASE
3. Villages and Irrigation Larger population builds permanent villages, food storage and town protection (Catal Huyuk) Develop irrigation system to water fields 4. Specialization and Trade Special jobs/skills such as pottery, crafts, cloth, metal works- trade goods with other societies and make a PROFIT
5. Need for Structure Develop more COMPLEX government, education system and religion, Create WRITTEN records of HISTORY COMPLEX SOCIETY