The Beginnings of Civilization

Development of Agriculture Irrigation supplying land with water from another place using a network of canals Stored floodwaters Diverted water to farmlands Supported farming and the development of early communities

Effects of Agriculture Farmers produced a surplus of food. People could settle in one place. They could feed more people. A surplus is more than the amount that is needed.

Effects of Agriculture The population grew rapidly. Families could feed more children. Over 3,000 years, the population doubled!

Effects of Agriculture Settlements grew into towns. People were able to do other types of work. Artisans are workers who are especially skilled at crafting items by hand. Artisans made items, such as baskets, leather goods, tools, pottery, and cloth.

What resources were needed to develop cities? Rich soil to produce a surplus of crops Dependable source of drinking water Materials for building Early cities developed along… The Nile in Egypt The Tigris and Euphrates in Iraq The Huang in China The Indus in Pakistan

Farming Villages Versus Cities Smaller in size and population Larger in size and population Public buildings Buildings for worship Places to buy and sell goods Most people were farmers Variety of jobs Early government

What makes a civilization? A Civilization is a society with….. Cities Government run by official leaders Writing Art Architecture Job specialization

The Bronze Age What is bronze?

Traders took valuable goods to faraway cities. Rise of Trade Traders took valuable goods to faraway cities. Tools and Weapons Pottery and Crafts Foods and Spices Ideas Sea trade put distant people in contact with each other. The wheel and axle improved land trade. Goods could be transported farther and more easily.

Trade Prosperity Social Classes Social Class- a group of people having similar backgrounds, incomes, and ways of living.