1. The earliest civilizations formed in the areas above
The earliest civilizations formed in the areas above. Why do you think they developed in these locations?

2. Quick Review: What was the Neolithic Revolution?
What are 6 of the characteristics of civilization?

3. The First Civilizations: The River Valley Civilizations
Learning Goal 2: Analyze how geography affected the development of the River Valley Civilizations and
describe the political and technological advances made in the River Valley Civilizations. (TEKS/SE’s 15B,16A,B,
19A,27A)

4. Otzi the Ice Man
In 1991, 2 German hikers accidentally discovered the preserved body of a man who lived 5,000 years ago
nicknamed him Otzi the Ice Man.
found a tool kit with him that included a six-foot longbow and a deerskin case with 14 arrows, an antler tip for sharpening flint blades, a small flint dagger in a woven sheath, a copper ax, and a medicine bag.
If you ever travel to Bolzano, Italy, you can view the ice man in a museum!
otzi-ice-man-mummy-five-facts/
Source: textbook

5. Why did people settle by rivers?
Climate
Mesopotamia first to develop agriculture then it diffused to Indus Valley and Egypt
In China and later in the Americas, agriculture developed independently from other civilizations
River access for irrigation and transportation
Seasonal flooding provided fertile soil
Crop surplus & early irrigation projects led to rise of cities, government, social structure, writing, religion and art

6. All around the world, city-states
All around the world, city-states* and civilizations developed near fresh water sources.
Some grew rapidly, some slowly, some were very advanced, others less so.
All benefitted from the surplus of food that allowed people to specialize in other areas & trade economies to grow
No longer just trying to survive!
All irrigated their farms using fresh water
Some struggled with rivers that flooded
All developed unique cultures, traditions, and ways of life
City drawing: Sumer

7. Today’s Task: Discover life in 4 of these civilizations
You will be assigned a partnership/small group to explore life in one of the early river valley civilizations.
After you learn about this river valley, you will be responsible for teaching your classmates about it!

8. Where to obtain the information
Textbook!
Mesopotamia pg
Egypt (Nile River Valley) pg
Indus Valley pg
Huang He (Yellow) River / China pg

9. Sorting Cards Activity
With your partner or small group, classify the cards with the correct early river valley civilization.
When you are done, have it checked by a teacher!

10. Mesopotamia Ziggurat of Ur Cuneiform
The last 4 slides can be used as a guessing activity if you take out the name of the civilization. It goes Mesopotamia, Nile/Egypt, Huang He, Indus

11. Nile- Egypt Pyramids at Giza Hieroglyphic Writing
Side note of interest: both men and women wore eye makeup and lipstick in Egypt

12. Huang He Bronze Ware Pictograms

13. Indus Valley Mohenjo Daro Harappan Clay Seals