Presentation Transcript
Birth of Civilization Chapter 3: Birth of Civilization Chapter 3
1. Why weren't the first farmers "civilized"?: 1. Why weren't the first farmers "civilized"? 1. Civilization requires far larger communities than could be supported by slash-and-burn farming
2. Thousands of men had to work together to build monumental temples, tombs, and palaces that dominated earliest centers of civilization
3. Only in large communities could specialists arise to develop the skills and knowledge that are the hallmark of civilized life
2. Why were river flood plains that first sites of civilization?: 2. Why were river flood plains that first sites of civilization? 1. Only in flood plains were soils of sufficiently reliable fertility available
2. Fertile soil necessary for high crop yields to produce food surplus
3. Food surplus necessary to free workers to develop specialization
3. Why was annual flooding vital to civilization?: 3. Why was annual flooding vital to civilization? 1. It provided the replenishment of the soil so that farmers would not have to relocate when soil became depleted
2. Irrigation necessary to conserve and control the water supply
4. What were the three first regions to develop irrigation-based centers of civilization?: 4. What were the three first regions to develop irrigation-based centers of civilization? 1. Iraq: Tigris-Euphrates River Valley
2. Egypt: Nile River Valley
3. Pakistan: Indus River Valley