The Beginnings of Civilization Four River Valleys

From Hunter/gatherers to Agriculture Nomads Hunter/Gatherers First crops Neolithic Revolution Rising temperatures Longer growing seasons Small grain crops led to higher populations, which meant the need for more food Slash and burn farming

Development of Villages Domestication of Animals Jarmo Villages develop Agriculture in the 4 River Valley Civilizations by 5000 B.C. Developed independently Catal Huyuk Discovered by archeologists in 1958 South Central Turkey One of the oldest villages

Rise of Civilization Villages grow into Cities Economic Changes Social Changes How Civilization develops Advanced cities Specialized workers Complex institutions Record keeping Cuneiform Advanced technology Bronze Age

First Civilization Sumer City of Ur Agricultural Economy City Organization Trade Barter System Religion Temple Ziggurat

Tigris Euphrates River Valley (Mesopotamia or Fertile Crescent) Geography and Environment Technology Irrigation Arithmetic and geometry Architectural innovations Cuneiform Sumerian City-States Political Organization- Theocracy Cultural Diffusion Culture and Religion Society

First Empires Sargon of Akkad creates the first EMPIRE Babylon King Hammurabi Hammurabi’s Code Read and analyze the document

Nile River Valley Geography of Egypt The Gift of the Nile Nile flows northward over 4100 miles- longest river in the world The Gift of the Nile Yearly flooding brings rich soil Wheat and barley fields River worshipped as a god Environmental Challenges Flooding here was more predictable than in Mesopotamia, but were still destructive Deserts on either side forced people to live in a narrow plot of land But natural barriers protected the area and spared it constant warfare

Upper and Lower Egypt River travel was possible until one hit a cataract, or churning rapids The area up to the first cataract is Called Upper Egypt because of its higher elevation Boats easily flowed with the current to Lower Egypt From the first cataract to the Med. Sea is Lower Egypt Delta Region Boats had sails to go against the current to get to Upper Egypt. River travel provided unity

Egypt unites 5000 B.C.- Farming villages 3200 B.C.- Egypt as 2 separate kingdoms Narmer unites the two kingdoms around 3000 B.C. Capital- Memphis Pharaohs rule as gods- theocracy Pyramids Giza

Egyptian Culture Religion Mummification Re- sun god Osiris- god of the dead Isis- ideal mother and wife Over 2000 gods total afterlife Mummification Book of the Dead

Egyptian Life Social Structure Could gain higher status through marriage or success in their jobs Highest positions were for those who could read and write Hieroglyphics Science and Technology Calendar 365 day solar year Medicine