The 7 Characteristics of a Civilization

1. Helped to organize and regulate human activity. These were created for smooth interaction between individuals/people.

• Cities

• Laws/Government

• Location

• Movement

When they started agriculture (farming), they found that they could do other jobs because they did not have to gather food anymore. They had time to focus on something else such as making tools, pottery, writing/making laws, constructing homes, etc.

• Socializing

• Religion

• Specialized Jobs

• Cities

Architecture of places of worship, government and burials. The way people dressed, food they ate and traditions that were kept.

• Art/Culture

• Writing

• Way of Life

• Movement

Explained the forces of nature and their roles in the world. They believed in God or gods.

• Politics

• Creation

• Regions

• Religion

1. Meant to protect people and farms. Walls were built to keep out enemies and sheltered the peoples. They were able to grow larger with more crops grown by farmers.

• Shelters

• Stones

• Cities

• Religion

1. A structure within the society that was based on economic power. Upper, middle, and lower classes (kings, military, servants/slaves) are some examples.

• Social Structure

• Economy

• Religion

• Tradition

Developed as an important way to keep accurate records and for laws/rules to be visible for all to see.

• Signs

• Writing

• Bookkeeping

• Alphabet