Global History and Geography: First Wave of Civilizations

Overview

• Time Period: Roughly 3500 BCE to 600 BCE
• Transition from Paleolithic (hunter-gatherers) to Neolithic (farming, settled communities)
• Emergence of the first civilizations around 3500 BCE

Characteristics of Civilizations

• Agricultural Surplus: Allowed job specialization
• Social Hierarchy: More pronounced than in Paleolithic societies
• Organized Government and Law: Often monarchies, integration with religion
• Organized Religion: Frequently intertwined with governmental systems
• Urbanization: Higher population densities leading to cities
• Public Works: Large-scale projects, e.g., irrigation, monumental architecture
• Proximity to Water: Most early civilizations near major rivers

First Wave Civilizations

Mesopotamia

• Location: Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, Middle East
• Era: Starting around 3500 BCE
• Key Kingdoms: Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians, Babylonians
  • Sumerians: Developed cuneiform writing
  • Akkadian Empire: Produced "Epic of Gilgamesh"
  • Babylonians: Hammurabi's Code – one of the first written law codes
• Notable Features: Fertile Crescent, advanced writing and legal systems

Ancient Egypt

• Location: Nile River, Northern Africa
• Era: Around 3000 BCE
• Writing System: Hieroglyphics
• Social Structure: Strict hierarchy with pharaohs at the top
• Architectural Achievements: Pyramids, irrigation systems

Indus River Civilization

• Location: Indus River, present-day Pakistan
• Era: 3300 BCE to 1800 BCE
• Urban Centers: Harappa and Mohenjo-daro displaying urban planning and indoor plumbing
• Mystery: Abrupt disappearance around 1800 BCE
• Cultural Influence: Early Hinduism development

Ancient China

• Location: Yellow (Huangha) and Yangtze Rivers
• Era: Around 2000 BCE
• Dynasties: Jia, Shang, Zhou
• Traditions: Mandate of Heaven for ruling legitimacy
• Technological Advances: Writing on oracle bones, bronze tools and weapons

Summary

• Common Features: Development along rivers, organized governments and religions, urbanization, advanced technology, large projects, and writing systems
• Civilizations Discussed: Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Indus, Ancient China

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