Download This first week covers the foundation of human civilizations and then

This first week covers the foundation of human civilizations and then moves quickly through the four
primary areas where civilization first began. Those areas were:
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Mesopotamia – Located in modern day Iraq between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, it was
home to many cultures starting with Sumer and Akkad and eventually the Hittites and Assyrians.
Egypt—Located in modern day Egypt, this civilization grew up along the Nile River and is
understood in terms of the Dynasty or ruling family line. When the ruling family line ends, a new
Dynasty begins (ex. the first ruling family is the First Dynasty. When another ruling family takes
over, it is the Second Dynasty and so on…)
The Indus—Located in modern day India and Pakistan, this river valley was home to peoples we
call the Harappa Civilization which is named for one of their large cities. The peoples here were
eventually pushed out by a race from the north, called Aryans, who intermingled with the
population (giving rise to the caste system) and spread throughout India.
The Yellow River—Located in China (river is called the Yangtze), it was, like Egypt, founded upon
dynasties. These peoples continued to grow until they formed the first real Chinese Dynasty,
called the Zhou. Dynasties are named for the ruling family and not, like in Egypt, numbered.
These peoples had religion but no structure so they focused on civil society and developed
Confucianism.
There are a lot of Key Terms that we use throughout this period of history some of which are in the
lectures and presentation, while others are not. Below is a list of Key Terms that will help you explain and
define and explain early civilizations:
Paleolithic—(from Greek language, means “old stone”): This is a period of time before true civilization and
writing. People lived as hunters and gatherers in small bands.
Neolithic—(from Greek language, means “new stone”): This is a period of time when people devised
better tools and began the shift from hunting/gathering to farming and raising animals.
Neolithic Revolution—This term is used to explain the shift from hunting and gathering to farming and
raising animals. Using water from river valleys, people began to farm and not live in wandering nomadic
bands. This revolution raised human population and caused the birth of the first towns with societies and
a division of labor (farmers, artisans, merchants, soldiers, priests, and kings).
Writing—The process of drawing pictures to represent to a reader a thought, idea, or concept. This
process evolved from drawing pictures to making marks that were a code for how a word or syllable
should sound when spoken. The first written language was from Mesopotamia and called Cuneiform. It
was the first information technology.
Religion—The system and organization of belief in one or more god(s) that influenced the life of the
people for better or for worse. Religion was administered by priests in temples that were features of
larger and more complex societies. Religious beliefs were critical to early peoples who sought to ward off
the wrath of the god(s) by sacrifices and other donations and prayer. These were based in temples and
the priests were highly ranked individuals in society. Buddhism, Hinduism, and Egyptian worship of Re
and Osiris are religions.
Polytheism—The religious belief in more than one god. Most ancient religions were polytheistic and
believed in gods that were represented in nature (ex. god of the sky, god of the earth, god of rain, etc.)
Hinduism is an example of a polytheistic religion.
Monotheism—The religious belief in only one god. This was practiced briefly in Egypt but was quickly
renounced. Only the early Hebrews (studied in a later week) believed in a single God during ancient
times. Christianity is an example of a monotheistic religion.
Philosophy—A system for logical belief in things that cannot be readily observed. Philosophy covers the
nature of the god(s) and the reason for events, the nature of life, and the nature of meaning.
Confucianism is a philosophy.
Scribe—A specially trained person who could read and write. This person’s job was to record the events
and communications of the rulers, the priests, and other important matters relating to the administration,
government, and control of the society.