1. The Beginnings of Civilization
Four River Valleys

2. 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

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

5. 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

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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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