Between 4500 and 1000 BCE, civilizations developed independently in may parts of the world, ranging from Mesopotamia and Egypt in the Near East, to china in the Far East, and the Maya in Meso-America. The emergence of civilization in all cases was the result of subsequent revolutions; an Urban Revolution followed the Neolithic Revolution. The Urban Revolution was characterized by the development of large, densely populated settlements that were socially and economically diverse. In Neolithic societies, there was little to differentiate members of society. Everyone farmed and common ownership of land was important to the survival of the group at large. The development or urban societies was much greater differentiation of the population. People began to specialized, taking on roles, such as ruler, trader, metal smith, scribe -- as well as farmer, fisher, and herder. These diverse urban communities developed into what are generally accepted as the earliest civilizations.
the process and pace at which various civilizations developed differed in each case, but there are several characteristics commonly accepted as indications that a society is "civilized." These include: the emergence of a centralized government, agricultural intensification, specialization of occupations, a stratified class structure, merchants and trade, the development of science and a form of writing, and the development of a state religion.
Ancient China
Mesopotamia and Egypt
Maya in Mesoamerica
Writing: ECHOES from the Past published by McGraw-Hill Ryderson Ltd.
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