River Valley Civilizations Vocabulary

Canal

• A natural waterway formed by rivers and streams.

• A human-made waterway used for transportation or irrigation.

• A type of dam used to store water.

• A large body of saltwater that is partially enclosed by land.

Agriculture

• Farming, or growing crops and raising animals for food.

• A method of transportation used in ancient civilizations.

• A type of government system used in early societies.

• A form of art that involves creating sculptures and paintings.

Government

• A system by which a country or community is organized and controlled.

• A type of economic system that regulates trade.

• A method of communication between citizens and leaders.

• A form of entertainment provided by the state.

Religion

• A system of beliefs and practices related to the worship of a god or gods.

• A scientific approach to understanding the universe.

• A political ideology that governs a society.

• A philosophical inquiry into the nature of existence.

Artisan

• A skilled craftsperson who makes things by hand.

• A person who sells goods in a market.

• An artist who creates paintings and sculptures.

• A factory worker who operates machinery.

Fertile

• Able to produce abundant crops or vegetation; fruitful.

• Having a dry and barren landscape.

• Incapable of supporting plant life.

• Characterized by a lack of nutrients.

Social pyramid

• A diagram that shows the different social classes in a society, with the most powerful at the top.

• A type of architectural structure used in ancient Egypt.

• A representation of the economic status of individuals in a community.

• A chart showing the population growth over time.

Scribe

• A person who writes documents by hand.

• A type of ancient Egyptian ruler.

• A tool used for writing on papyrus.

• A religious leader in ancient cultures.

Civilization

• A simple society with no cities or government.

• A complex society with cities, government, and specialized jobs.

• A nomadic group of people who move frequently.

• A society that relies solely on agriculture.

Trade

• The act of buying and selling goods and services.

• The exchange of goods and services between people or countries.

• A method of communication between nations.

• A type of currency used in transactions.