Ch. 2 Documents

Ch. 2: the Ancient Era

The Ancient Era:

1) Homo Sapiens during the Ancient Era competed with each other in many ways: for wealth, social status, and power. This eventually lead to social hierarchy.

2) The advancements of technology became very intricate, even writing and their language system.

3) The creation of civilizations and city-states were a result of a vast agricultural surplus.

4) Trade between continents lead to the constant interaction between diverse peoples.

First Civilizations:

• Egypt
• Mesopotamia
• China,
• Aegean Greeks
• Indus Valley,
• Americas: Andes & Mesoamerica

The American civilizations did not quickly become large and powerful societies as a result their inadequate amount of agricultural surplus - they didn’t have certain necessities such as livestock. This left them defenseless and weak when the Europeans began their invasion.

Egypt:

Because Egypt’s river was believed to be a hazard due to the floods, people of that society were able to better plan their living situations.

Mesopotamia:

Mesopotamians however were not as prepared to handle floods which meant that they also could not properly prepare for disastrous times like these.

Indus Valley:

In the Indus Valley there has been no recordings of social hierarchy, no palaces or burials of status. The idea of urban planning began in the Indus Valley; city states built on a grid. The first flushing toilet also began here which began the modernization of the plumbing system.