villages evolved into complex societies

known as civilizations

civilization- people live in a highly organized

society with advanced knowledge of farming,

trade, government, art and science

led to rise of cities

around 3,500 BC

Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

from Greek "land between the two rivers"

"cradle of civilization"

Fertile Crescent

peoples' labor- specialized (different men

and women doing different jobs)

advanced technology-metalworking

some form of government

coordinate large-scale cooperative efforts

irrigation systems

use their environment to meet their

material needs

farmers' growing surplus food

extra food, fewer men and women had

to farm

could earn a living in other ways

First irrigation systems

massive irrigation systems

Neolithic farmers had relied on rainfall

Later- farmers transported water to grow crops

dug ditches from river to their fields

small canals

dams- to control flooding

Specialization of Labor

artisans- workers skilled in craft- increasingly productive

and creative

storage vessels, jewelry, eating utensils, weapons and other

goods made by hammering copper, lead and gold

mix metals- melted copper and tin- Bronze Age

bronze - sharper cutting edge

example of long-distance trade

later- specialized class of traders

some- animal caravans

some water

later- sailing ships

along with goods, ideas were exchanged

cultural diffusion- ideas spread throughout

the world

new knowledge stimulated ways of life