Civilization: From Nomadic Life to the Farm and City

Q: What are the central features of a civilization?

The central features of a civilization are: a writing system, government, surplus food, division of labor, and urbanization.

Q: What were the first civilizations?

The first civilizations were the Indus Valley Civilization, Mesopotamia's Sumerian Civilization, and the ancient Egyptian Civilization.

Q: What is the oldest civilization?

Mesopotamia is the oldest civilization in recorded history.

Q: Where does the term "civilization" come from?

"Civilization" comes from the Latin words civis (citizen) and civitas (city) and refers to a highly developed culture. The term was first coined in France in the 18th century.

Joshua J. Mark

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Definition

Civilization (from the Latin civis=citizen and civitas=city) is a term applied to any society which has developed a writing system, government, production of surplus food, division of labor, and urbanization. The term is difficult to define because not all "civilizations" include every one of the above facets. The term is often used, therefore, to suggest a highly developed culture.

More about: Civilization

Timeline

c. 7000 BCE - c. 600 BCE
The Indus Valley (or Harappan) Civilization.
c. 4000 BCE - c. 1750 BCE
Sumerian civilization in the Tigris-Euphrates valley.
2000 BCE - 1450 BCE
Minoan civilization in Crete and the Aegean.
1900 BCE - 1100 BCE
Mycenaean civilization in Greece and the Aegean.
c. 1500 BCE - c. 500 CE
The Gandhara Civilization flourishes in what is today the northern portion of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
c. 1200 BCE - c. 400 BCE
The Olmec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
1000 BCE - 338 BCE
Ancient Greek civilization in Greece and the Mediterranean.
900 BCE - 200 BCE
The Chavin civilization flourishes in ancient Peru.
c. 900 BCE - c. 590 BCE
The Urartu civilization flourishes in ancient Armenia, eastern Turkey and western Iran.
500 BCE - 900 CE
The Zapotec Civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
323 BCE - 31 BCE
Hellenistic civilization in Greece, the Mediterranean and Asia.
200 BCE - 600 CE
The Nazca civilization flourishes in ancient Peru.
1 CE - 800 CE
The Moche civilization flourishes in ancient Peru.
600 CE - 1532 CE
The Wanka civilization flourishes in central Peru.
c. 750 CE - c. 1375 CE
The Lambayeque Civilization flourishes in northern Peru.
c. 900 CE - c. 1150 CE
The Toltec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
c. 1100 CE - 1470 CE
The Chimu civilization flourishes in northern coastal Peru.
c. 1345 CE - 1521 CE
The Aztec civilization flourishes in Mesoamerica.
c. 1425 CE - 1532 CE
The Inca Empire flourishes in South America.