World HistoryChapter 1C

Civilization

Case Study: Ur in Sumer

Villages Grow Into Cities

• Eventually settle in permanent communities based upon agriculture

• This causes social relationships to become more complex as villages evolve into cities

• Irrigation of crops allow for food surpluses which enables the development of specialized jobs such as farmers, sailors, artisans, and priest

• Social classes now start to emerge in these primitive societies

What is Civilization

• Scholars define civilization as possessing 5 characteristics

1. Specialized workers-artisans, farmers, etc.

2. Complex Institutions-these are long lasting patterns of organization

3. Record keeping-Scribes using written language

4. Advanced technology-Example the use of bronze

5. Advanced cities-these were centers of trade

Civilization Emerges at Ur

Continued

• By 3,000 B.C. the City State of Ur in the country of Sumer had developed

• 30,000 people lived there• Large scale irrigation takes place there• Trade goods are produced in a large enough

quantity that trade makes Ur wealthy• This trade is controlled by the barter system

and scribes kept records of these transactions

Ur Continued

• Religion becomes a very important feature of life in Ur

• Ziggurat-This is a pyramid shaped temple• This temple is the center of city life

Ziggurat

After the Quiz

TA2A

Read pages 29-34

Copy & Define the Terms on Page 34

Copy & Answer Questions 9, 10, 11 on Page 56