8 Features of Civilization

Civilization: A n advanced and complex society with

organized government, religion, customs, and social
norms
Cities

 Built around farming centers

 Grow out of villages
 Examples:
 Tikal (Maya)
 Tenochtitlan (Aztec)
 Cuzco (Inca)
 Mesa Verde (Anasazi)
 Cahokia (Missippians)
Organized Government

 Managed surplus foods and supplies

 Oversaw business of cities
 Ran the military

 Examples:
 City-states (Maya)
 Empire- one ruler (Aztec)
 “Sapa Inca”- (Inca)
 Elite ruling class – (Mississippian)
Job Specialization

 Allowed for the development of further skills

 Possible because farms = extra time
 Stone cutters, potters, astronomers, etc.
Public Works

 Public works served the public good

 Might cost $ to maintain
 Examples: roads, waterways, city walls
Established Religion

 Connected to early government

 Often polytheism: many gods/goddesses
 Tied to seasons, harvests, sun & stars
Social Classes

 Different people occupy different social ranks

 Top: priests, rulers
 Middle: farmers, artisans, merchants
 Bottom: slaves
 Few at the top, many at the bottom
Art and Architecture

 Objects of beauty
 Effort in design to
appease religious
beliefs
 Luxuries for upper
class (like jewelry)
System of Language and Writing

 Many early forms of writing in pictures

 Used to record:
 Laws
 Leaders’ and rulers’ family lines
 Events