Civilization

The video explains civilization as a complex society with advanced cities, specialized workers, complex institutions, recordkeeping, and advanced technology. It highlights the role of agriculture in population growth and city development, focusing on Sumer in Mesopotamia as one of the first civilizations. Ancient cities were trade centers with job specialization and formal institutions. Recordkeeping and technology, like the plow and sails, were crucial for solving problems and economic growth. The video concludes by comparing ancient and modern cities.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a civilization?

• Complex institutions

• Specialized workers

• Nomadic lifestyle

• Advanced cities

Where did historians believe one of the first civilizations arose?

• Egypt

• Sumer

• China

• Indus Valley

What allowed people in ancient cities to develop skills other than farming?

• Abundance of food

• Lack of resources

• Nomadic lifestyle

• Isolation from other communities

Why was recordkeeping necessary in ancient civilizations?

• To entertain the population

• To reduce the need for communication

• To keep track of complex institutions

• To confuse invaders

How did the invention of sails impact ancient economies?

• It reduced the need for trade

• It isolated civilizations from each other

• It allowed goods to be moved over longer distances

• It made agriculture obsolete