Concept 3 Ancient Civilizations
Big Question: What do Ancient Civilizations from around the world have in common?
Vocabulary
Click on the Quizlet link to learn the vocabulary for our concept. Write these new words with their definitions in yur Social Studies notebook. Play "Match" and try and beat your friends!
Click on the Quizlet link to learn the vocabulary for our concept. Write these new words with their definitions in yur Social Studies notebook. Play "Match" and try and beat your friends!
What makes a Civilization civilized?
What makes a civilization different from a town or just a group of people out wandering around? Depends on who you talk to! We know that there are AT LEAST six characteristics that all civilizations share, although some experts claim as many as 12 characteristics.
Read "The First Civilizations Emerge onto the World Stage" and be ready to be AMAZED!! If you could talk to the author of this article, what are five questions that came to your mind as you were reading? Write each of your questions in your Social Studies composition book followed by two to three lines for answering each question.
What makes a civilization different from a town or just a group of people out wandering around? Depends on who you talk to! We know that there are AT LEAST six characteristics that all civilizations share, although some experts claim as many as 12 characteristics.
Read "The First Civilizations Emerge onto the World Stage" and be ready to be AMAZED!! If you could talk to the author of this article, what are five questions that came to your mind as you were reading? Write each of your questions in your Social Studies composition book followed by two to three lines for answering each question.
Characteristics of Ancient Civilizations
Read through the following characteristics of ancient civilizations. Are these characteristics limited to ancient civilizations or are these characteristics still with us today? In your Social Studies composition notebook, write each characteristic and list at least two examples of that characteristic that exists in Oskaloosa today!
1) Cities
Every early civilization had incredible cities that were all built in similar geographic locations, along rivers with easy access to trade routes close to an ocean or sea. These cities were next to their agricultural food sources and were often built within valleys or on hill tops that would make defense versus invaders or raiders easier.
Every early civilization had incredible cities that were all built in similar geographic locations, along rivers with easy access to trade routes close to an ocean or sea. These cities were next to their agricultural food sources and were often built within valleys or on hill tops that would make defense versus invaders or raiders easier.
![Picture](/uploads/5/2/6/7/52671371/statue-43360-1920.jpg?116)
2) Government
Central governments took several different forms, but this common characteristic was of a Ruler (often just one) that made decisions to regulate all activities of it's citizens involving trade, agriculture, city planning, and defense.
Central governments took several different forms, but this common characteristic was of a Ruler (often just one) that made decisions to regulate all activities of it's citizens involving trade, agriculture, city planning, and defense.
![Picture](/uploads/5/2/6/7/52671371/egyptian-social-structure.png?218)
3) Social Structure
As the needs of the cities and governments became more complex, so did the roles (jobs) of the people needed to run these civilizations. Every role from Rulers and government officials to farmers, soldiers, and trades people.
As the needs of the cities and governments became more complex, so did the roles (jobs) of the people needed to run these civilizations. Every role from Rulers and government officials to farmers, soldiers, and trades people.
4) Religion
All ancient civilizations developed religion to explain forces of nature and their roles in the world. Priests (religious leaders) were important as to supervise rituals to gain favor from their god or gods. Scribes were also an important part of the religious orders in providing literacy to the civilization.
All ancient civilizations developed religion to explain forces of nature and their roles in the world. Priests (religious leaders) were important as to supervise rituals to gain favor from their god or gods. Scribes were also an important part of the religious orders in providing literacy to the civilization.
![Picture](/uploads/5/2/6/7/52671371/5457312.jpg?163)
5) Writing
Writing came in many forms, from hieroglyphics (symbol writing) to the tying of knots as a form of recording trade, important events, and rules for citizens. This is a key skill for Collective Learning and the passing information and skills to further generations.
Writing came in many forms, from hieroglyphics (symbol writing) to the tying of knots as a form of recording trade, important events, and rules for citizens. This is a key skill for Collective Learning and the passing information and skills to further generations.
![Picture](/uploads/5/2/6/7/52671371/chichen-itza-323150-1280.jpg?212)
6) Art / Architecture
Pyramids, coliseums, and other grand building projects were used to instill pride into the community and were used for religious practices, including human sacrifice. Artists recorded achievements of their rulers and other important people through their depictions in painting and sculpture.
Pyramids, coliseums, and other grand building projects were used to instill pride into the community and were used for religious practices, including human sacrifice. Artists recorded achievements of their rulers and other important people through their depictions in painting and sculpture.