CivilizationsCivilizations

CharacteristicsCharacteristicsOrigin TheoriesOrigin Theories

How do we study these How do we study these archaeologically?archaeologically?

V. Gordon Childe:V. Gordon Childe:Characteristics of complex societiesCharacteristics of complex societies

These include:These include: urban centers between 7-20,000 peopleurban centers between 7-20,000 people specialized division of laborspecialized division of labor ruling class of religious, civil and military leadersruling class of religious, civil and military leaders food surplusfood surplus monumental architecturemonumental architecture writing systemwriting system developments of arithmetic, geometry and astronomydevelopments of arithmetic, geometry and astronomy art and long-distance tradeart and long-distance trade institutionalized form of political organization-the institutionalized form of political organization-the

statestate

Do all complex societies have these Do all complex societies have these characteristics? characteristics?

Do they have to have all the Do they have to have all the characteristics to be termed complex?characteristics to be termed complex?

Variations might be Variations might be Agricultural StatesAgricultural States which had some of these characteristics which had some of these characteristics but was primarily composed of inequality but was primarily composed of inequality based on control of food surplus.based on control of food surplus.

V. Gordon ChildeV. Gordon Childe“Urban Revolution”“Urban Revolution”

Suggested that civilization resulted from Suggested that civilization resulted from increasing specialization which was made increasing specialization which was made possible by technological innovations which possible by technological innovations which allowed for increased production and the allowed for increased production and the accumulation of surplus accumulation of surplus

In the fourth millennium, the development of In the fourth millennium, the development of effective irrigation agriculture combined with effective irrigation agriculture combined with fishing and animal husbandry to afford the fishing and animal husbandry to afford the surplus necessary to support a growing number surplus necessary to support a growing number of specialists of specialists accumulation of surplus was assisted by water accumulation of surplus was assisted by water

transportation, pack animals, and newly invented transportation, pack animals, and newly invented wheeled vehicles wheeled vehicles

use of irrigation restricted the areas that could be use of irrigation restricted the areas that could be cultivated effectively to those near water courses and cultivated effectively to those near water courses and canals, thus causing and aggregation of the population canals, thus causing and aggregation of the population

proposes ten criteria to distinguish the earliest cities proposes ten criteria to distinguish the earliest cities from any older or contemporary village from any older or contemporary village

V. Gordon ChildeV. Gordon Childe Dense populations Dense populations

first cities were more extensive and densely populated first cities were more extensive and densely populated population ranged from 7,000 to 20,000 population ranged from 7,000 to 20,000 Full-time specialization and division of labor Full-time specialization and division of labor cities accomodated peasants, but also classes of cities accomodated peasants, but also classes of

specialists: craftsmen, transport workers, merchants, specialists: craftsmen, transport workers, merchants, officials, and priests officials, and priests

these were supported by agricultural surplus these were supported by agricultural surplus they did not receive their support directly from individual they did not receive their support directly from individual

peasants peasants Taxation and concentration of capital Taxation and concentration of capital

each primary producer paid over his surplus as a tithe or each primary producer paid over his surplus as a tithe or tax to an imaginary deity or divine king, who then tax to an imaginary deity or divine king, who then concentrated the surplus concentrated the surplus

this capital concentration was necessary to sponsor this capital concentration was necessary to sponsor specialist activities specialist activities

V. Gordon ChildeV. Gordon Childe Social classes Social classes

all those not engaged in food production were supported all those not engaged in food production were supported by surplus accumulated in the temple by surplus accumulated in the temple

some officials absorbed a major share of this surplus, and some officials absorbed a major share of this surplus, and formed a "ruling class" formed a "ruling class"

these ruling classes conferred benefits on their subjects these ruling classes conferred benefits on their subjects by providing planning and organization by providing planning and organization

Religion and state organization Religion and state organization cities had "organic solidarity" based on the cities had "organic solidarity" based on the

interdependence of agricultural producers, craftsmen, interdependence of agricultural producers, craftsmen, traders, priests, and members of the ruling class traders, priests, and members of the ruling class

organization was based on residence rather than kinship organization was based on residence rather than kinship craftsman could belong politically as well as economically craftsman could belong politically as well as economically there was a conflict between the subsistence farmers there was a conflict between the subsistence farmers

and the tiny ruling class and the tiny ruling class this solidarity had to be maintained by ideological this solidarity had to be maintained by ideological

devices devices the pre-eminence of the temple or shrine was used to the pre-eminence of the temple or shrine was used to

hold society together, and justify the social order hold society together, and justify the social order

V. Gordon ChildeV. Gordon Childe Monumental architecture Monumental architecture

monumental buildings symbolize the concentration of social surplus monumental buildings symbolize the concentration of social surplus these included temples and ziggurats these included temples and ziggurats an important part of each temple complex was a granary or storage an important part of each temple complex was a granary or storage

facility facility in Sumer, social surplus was effectively concentrated in the hands of a in Sumer, social surplus was effectively concentrated in the hands of a

god and stored in his granary god and stored in his granary Writing Writing

management of surplus and the administration of revenues compelled management of surplus and the administration of revenues compelled societies to invent systems of recording and exact, practical sciences societies to invent systems of recording and exact, practical sciences

organization of temple required intelligible system of recording organization of temple required intelligible system of recording information information

Exact and predictive sciences Exact and predictive sciences the invention of writing enabled the leisured class to develop the exact the invention of writing enabled the leisured class to develop the exact

and predictive sciences of arithmetic, geometry, and astronomy and predictive sciences of arithmetic, geometry, and astronomy calendars allowed for regulation of agricultural economy calendars allowed for regulation of agricultural economy

Fine arts Fine arts other specialists, supported by social surplus, developed artistic other specialists, supported by social surplus, developed artistic

expression in conceptualized and sophisticated styles expression in conceptualized and sophisticated styles Trade in necessary raw materials Trade in necessary raw materials

social surplus was also used to pay for the importation of raw materials social surplus was also used to pay for the importation of raw materials necessary for industry which were not available locally necessary for industry which were not available locally

cities became dependent on vital materials, such as metal or obsidian cities became dependent on vital materials, such as metal or obsidian regular trade becomes an important activity of the first citiesregular trade becomes an important activity of the first cities

Julian Steward-EcologyJulian Steward-Ecology Suggested that at the core of the urban transformation was a Suggested that at the core of the urban transformation was a

changing, functionally interrelated group of social institutions changing, functionally interrelated group of social institutions core was characterized by the structural relationships of core was characterized by the structural relationships of

interdependent institutions interdependent institutions each society derives its distinctive set of social systems from its each society derives its distinctive set of social systems from its

institutional core institutional core framework was to investigate each society in terms of its "level of framework was to investigate each society in terms of its "level of

sociopolitical complexity" sociopolitical complexity" Rise of civilization viewed as a series of successive, major Rise of civilization viewed as a series of successive, major

organizational levels organizational levels Hunting and gathering Hunting and gathering Incipient agriculture Incipient agriculture Formative Formative Regional florescence Regional florescence Initial Conquest Initial Conquest Dark Ages Dark Ages Cyclical conquests Cyclical conquests

Suggested that irrigation works and water distribution required Suggested that irrigation works and water distribution required the growth of a bureauocracy the growth of a bureauocracy rise of ruling class, leisure time, and population rise of ruling class, leisure time, and population population pressure led to competition and warfare population pressure led to competition and warfare cultural collapse and "dark ages" cultural collapse and "dark ages" militaristic phase led to emergence of stonger states militaristic phase led to emergence of stonger states

Karl Wittfogel-IrrigationKarl Wittfogel-Irrigation Pointed out (as Steward did) that early civilizations appeared in regions Pointed out (as Steward did) that early civilizations appeared in regions

where large-scale irrigation agriculture was practiced where large-scale irrigation agriculture was practiced Attempted to explain the major political systems of the world through Attempted to explain the major political systems of the world through

control of irrigation agriculture in "Oriental Despotism" (1957) control of irrigation agriculture in "Oriental Despotism" (1957) termed societies that relied on large-scale irrigation "hydraulic societies" termed societies that relied on large-scale irrigation "hydraulic societies"

Suggests that large-scale irrigation required centralized coordination and Suggests that large-scale irrigation required centralized coordination and direction direction

water was a natural resource, and became a crucial variable because it could be water was a natural resource, and became a crucial variable because it could be manipulated and agglomerated in bulk manipulated and agglomerated in bulk

water management was especially important in places where rainfall was water management was especially important in places where rainfall was insufficient but water was available nearby, such as in semiarid river valleys insufficient but water was available nearby, such as in semiarid river valleys

Irrigation itself had an organizing effect Irrigation itself had an organizing effect scheduling of water use scheduling of water use maintenance of canals maintenance of canals defense of canals from hostile neighbors defense of canals from hostile neighbors while it can be carried on by small groups on an informal basis, it is more while it can be carried on by small groups on an informal basis, it is more

efficient and leads to greater growth if there is central management efficient and leads to greater growth if there is central management in return, the person who manages the water has tremendous power over the farmers in return, the person who manages the water has tremendous power over the farmers if one source of power is so much more important than all others, a monopoly develops if one source of power is so much more important than all others, a monopoly develops

within a society within a society single-centered government arises from "oriental despotism" single-centered government arises from "oriental despotism"

Contrasts this kind of development with what happens in more temperate Contrasts this kind of development with what happens in more temperate climates in which rainfall agriculture prevails climates in which rainfall agriculture prevails

alternate bases of power can arise to give a more balanced or multi-centered alternate bases of power can arise to give a more balanced or multi-centered government government

Major Criticisms Major Criticisms There are several modern communities in Mesopotamia where small-scale There are several modern communities in Mesopotamia where small-scale

cooperative irrigation works without centralized external control are sufficient cooperative irrigation works without centralized external control are sufficient for an adequate agricultural livelihood for an adequate agricultural livelihood

available archaeological and historical data imply that large-scale irrigation works available archaeological and historical data imply that large-scale irrigation works were not prevalent in Mesopotamia until long after the rise of the state were not prevalent in Mesopotamia until long after the rise of the state

hydraulic society might be viewed as a result of state formation rather than as a hydraulic society might be viewed as a result of state formation rather than as a cause cause

It is unlikely that Wittfogel intended to imply that large-scale irrigation works It is unlikely that Wittfogel intended to imply that large-scale irrigation works preceded centralized government preceded centralized government

institutions of central government and large-scale irrigation would have grown side by institutions of central government and large-scale irrigation would have grown side by side side

small-scale irrigation would have required a certain amount of administration, which small-scale irrigation would have required a certain amount of administration, which would have expanded the irrigation system, which in turn would have required would have expanded the irrigation system, which in turn would have required greater administration and so forth greater administration and so forth

it was not irrigation itself, but the centralized coordination of irrigation activities that it was not irrigation itself, but the centralized coordination of irrigation activities that had important social consequences had important social consequences

it is possible that centralized administration and large-scale irrigation works were it is possible that centralized administration and large-scale irrigation works were present at and early date, but because their growth was not incremental they only present at and early date, but because their growth was not incremental they only became obvious in the archaeological and textual records after they had reached became obvious in the archaeological and textual records after they had reached major proportions major proportions

The ancient Maya civilization arose in an area where irrigation was of marginal The ancient Maya civilization arose in an area where irrigation was of marginal importance (though water control and management were important activities) importance (though water control and management were important activities)

Even in arid Mexico and Mesopotamia, archaeological evidence indicates that Even in arid Mexico and Mesopotamia, archaeological evidence indicates that complex, large-scale irrigation appeared only after the state had already complex, large-scale irrigation appeared only after the state had already formed formed

Model is relevant to "pristine states", not late "macro-state" formations like the Model is relevant to "pristine states", not late "macro-state" formations like the Aztec and Inca empires Aztec and Inca empires

does not explain why Inca and Mexica became the imperial leadersdoes not explain why Inca and Mexica became the imperial leaders

Robert Carneiro-WarfareRobert Carneiro-Warfare Theory grows out of hypotheses which emphasize the importance of Theory grows out of hypotheses which emphasize the importance of

population growth and population pressure population growth and population pressure Formulated hypothesis using South American examples, but applied it to Formulated hypothesis using South American examples, but applied it to

the Near East as well the Near East as well Hypothesis is based on general regularity about the environmental settings Hypothesis is based on general regularity about the environmental settings

of early civilizations throughout the world of early civilizations throughout the world they are areas of circumscribed agricultural land they are areas of circumscribed agricultural land each area is bounded by mountains, seas, or deserts, which sharply delimited each area is bounded by mountains, seas, or deserts, which sharply delimited

the area that simple farming people could have occupied the area that simple farming people could have occupied Expanding population could not accomodate itself by colonizing new lands Expanding population could not accomodate itself by colonizing new lands Instead, it had to intensify production on lands already being used Instead, it had to intensify production on lands already being used Military conflicts between groups became more frequent Military conflicts between groups became more frequent

losers were not able to flee to new farmlands were assimilated into the winner's losers were not able to flee to new farmlands were assimilated into the winner's society as a lower class society as a lower class

successful militarists were rewarded by economic wealth, increasing amounts of successful militarists were rewarded by economic wealth, increasing amounts of land, and a conquered class of workers land, and a conquered class of workers

Adaptive advantages of organizing and controlling a successful military Adaptive advantages of organizing and controlling a successful military operation quickly lead to institutionalization in the form of an early state operation quickly lead to institutionalization in the form of an early state

state then grows in size as a result of external conquests state then grows in size as a result of external conquests Population growth in itself is insufficient to engender warfare, but Population growth in itself is insufficient to engender warfare, but

population pressure does engender warfare if the expanding populations is population pressure does engender warfare if the expanding populations is constrained either by environmental barriers or by competing social groups constrained either by environmental barriers or by competing social groups whose populations aree so dense as to preclude expansion whose populations aree so dense as to preclude expansion

Interregional and Intraregional-Trade & Interregional and Intraregional-Trade & ExchangeExchange

Advent of large-scale trade necessitated Advent of large-scale trade necessitated administrative organization to control the administrative organization to control the procurement, production, and distribution procurement, production, and distribution of goods of goods

Such an organization would have had Such an organization would have had access to a major source of wealth in the access to a major source of wealth in the community and its power might have been community and its power might have been extended to other aspects of society extended to other aspects of society

Larger settlements would have resulted Larger settlements would have resulted from competition for agricultural land from competition for agricultural land

Robert Adams-Cultural SystemsRobert Adams-Cultural Systems Considered causation and structure of civilization from a Considered causation and structure of civilization from a

multifaceted perspective multifaceted perspective Stated that the evidence supports the position that "the Stated that the evidence supports the position that "the

transformation at the core of the Urban Revolution lay in transformation at the core of the Urban Revolution lay in the realm of social organization... For the most part, the realm of social organization... For the most part, changes in social institutions precipitated changes in changes in social institutions precipitated changes in technology, subsistence, and other aspects of the wider technology, subsistence, and other aspects of the wider cultural realm, rather than vice versa." cultural realm, rather than vice versa."

Urban Revolution implied focus on ordered, systematic Urban Revolution implied focus on ordered, systematic processes of change that can be described in terms of a processes of change that can be described in terms of a functionally related core of institutions that interacted and functionally related core of institutions that interacted and evolved evolved

Attempts to avoid the term civilization by investigating the Attempts to avoid the term civilization by investigating the complex core of social institutions that interacted to form complex core of social institutions that interacted to form early state society early state society

Model does not favor single-factor explanations, but Model does not favor single-factor explanations, but emphasizes complexity and systemic relationships emphasizes complexity and systemic relationships

Three major transformationsThree major transformations Three major transformations: first two led to urban centers Three major transformations: first two led to urban centers

that were controlled by a religious elite and the third that were controlled by a religious elite and the third resulted in growth of secular state authority resulted in growth of secular state authority first transformation - changes in subsistence strategies first transformation - changes in subsistence strategies

combination of cultivated crops and herd animals or fishing yielded combination of cultivated crops and herd animals or fishing yielded a stable food base that allowed the population to increase in size a stable food base that allowed the population to increase in size and density and density

exchange and redistribution of food was managed by members of exchange and redistribution of food was managed by members of the temple community the temple community

growth of this centralized means of redistribution gave the temple growth of this centralized means of redistribution gave the temple elite the power to coerce farmers or herders into producing elite the power to coerce farmers or herders into producing surpluses surpluses

what limited food production was not land but the availability of what limited food production was not land but the availability of water water

natural water courses and small-scale irrigation works allowed only natural water courses and small-scale irrigation works allowed only a part of the available land to be adequately irrigated a part of the available land to be adequately irrigated

even areas that were irrigated were not equally productive even areas that were irrigated were not equally productive differential in productivity emerged differential in productivity emerged

Those who controlled land close to the natural courses of the river Those who controlled land close to the natural courses of the river were able to produce more crops and to produce them even in were able to produce more crops and to produce them even in years of low precipitation years of low precipitation

this led to major differentiation of wealth among farmers, which was this led to major differentiation of wealth among farmers, which was compounded by their ability to buy additional irrigable land compounded by their ability to buy additional irrigable land

differential access to water was the first step in the emergence of class differential access to water was the first step in the emergence of class society society

Three major transformationsThree major transformations Second major transformation - a shift from kin-Second major transformation - a shift from kin-

based to class-structured society based to class-structured society kinship was the basis for organizational structure in early kinship was the basis for organizational structure in early

Mesopotamian society Mesopotamian society such ties were influential in early administrative efforts such ties were influential in early administrative efforts economic division of subsistence activities and craft economic division of subsistence activities and craft

production led to specialization by family in one or more production led to specialization by family in one or more economic pursuits economic pursuits

wealth accumulated by controlling good land and by wealth accumulated by controlling good land and by managing the distribution of its products resulted in the managing the distribution of its products resulted in the acquisition by a few families of reat wealth and power acquisition by a few families of reat wealth and power

these families attempted to retain their wealth and power these families attempted to retain their wealth and power by advocating an organizational structure that by advocating an organizational structure that institutionalized the differences that were emerging institutionalized the differences that were emerging

structure would have been largely based on economic structure would have been largely based on economic activities connected with a person's lineage activities connected with a person's lineage

religious elite would have formed upper strata of society religious elite would have formed upper strata of society Third major transformation - transfer of Third major transformation - transfer of

administrative power from the temple to the administrative power from the temple to the state state

happened largely because of increasing militarism happened largely because of increasing militarism

Kent Flannery-Cultural Systems Kent Flannery-Cultural Systems More explicitly systems-oriented perspective More explicitly systems-oriented perspective Notes that what produces surplus is the coercive power of real Notes that what produces surplus is the coercive power of real

authority authority Segregation Segregation

internal differentiation and specialization of subsystems of the society internal differentiation and specialization of subsystems of the society appearance of new institutions or new levels in the control hierarchy appearance of new institutions or new levels in the control hierarchy

Centralization Centralization strengthening of higher-level controls strengthening of higher-level controls linkage between the subsystems and the highest-order controlling linkage between the subsystems and the highest-order controlling

apparatus in the society apparatus in the society hallmark in the evolution of such complex systems as the state is the hallmark in the evolution of such complex systems as the state is the

increasing centralization and interdependence of the various subsystems increasing centralization and interdependence of the various subsystems powerful centralized management often evolves at the top of the powerful centralized management often evolves at the top of the

hierarchy to offset the instability that would occur if one subsystem hierarchy to offset the instability that would occur if one subsystem affected all other subsystems affected all other subsystems

among most important institutions are those which regulate the flow of among most important institutions are those which regulate the flow of information to constituent groups within a society information to constituent groups within a society

central development in the rise of civilization was the increasing necessity for central development in the rise of civilization was the increasing necessity for mechanisms with which to communicate information mechanisms with which to communicate information

societies with organization based on kinship or religion could handle a societies with organization based on kinship or religion could handle a considerable amount of detailed information considerable amount of detailed information

Highly formalized institutions of early civilizations carried information Highly formalized institutions of early civilizations carried information regulation and dissemination much further than had heretofore been regulation and dissemination much further than had heretofore been done done enabled the scale of organization that developed into the state enabled the scale of organization that developed into the state

Geoff Conrad and Arthur Demarest- Geoff Conrad and Arthur Demarest- IdeologyIdeology

China China the wealth that produced the Chinese civilization was the the wealth that produced the Chinese civilization was the

product of concentrated political power product of concentrated political power acquisition of that power was accomplished through the acquisition of that power was accomplished through the

accumulation of wealth accumulation of wealth key to this circular working was the monopoly of high key to this circular working was the monopoly of high

shamanism shamanism enabled rulers to gain critical access to divine and ancestral enabled rulers to gain critical access to divine and ancestral

wisdom, which became the basis for their political authority wisdom, which became the basis for their political authority shamans were employed by the politically powerful shamans were employed by the politically powerful king himself was known to possess shaman's powers king himself was known to possess shaman's powers "When the road to Heaven was monopolized by the "When the road to Heaven was monopolized by the

possessors of shamanistic powers, ancient art and ritual possessors of shamanistic powers, ancient art and ritual were the sources of political clout, and the accumulation of were the sources of political clout, and the accumulation of art and ritual objects was an instrument of social art and ritual objects was an instrument of social stratification" stratification"

IdeologyIdeology Mesopotamia Mesopotamia

concepts of concepts of misharummisharum (equality) and (equality) and anduranumanduranum (freedom) (freedom) appeared under reign of Entemena (2404-2375 BC) appeared under reign of Entemena (2404-2375 BC) fundamental bases of the political contract uniting the fundamental bases of the political contract uniting the

responsibility of the rulers to the ruled responsibility of the rulers to the ruled New Year's celebrations afforded an occasion for the King to cancel New Year's celebrations afforded an occasion for the King to cancel

all private debts and state taxes, punish corrupt administrators, all private debts and state taxes, punish corrupt administrators, free slaves, and fine or imprison avaricious merchants free slaves, and fine or imprison avaricious merchants

royal decrees were considered essential for sustaining the royal decrees were considered essential for sustaining the immutable nature of both the cosmic and social order immutable nature of both the cosmic and social order

law was conceived of as timeless and impersonal law was conceived of as timeless and impersonal royal power held in check by the conception of law as well as royal power held in check by the conception of law as well as

assembly of elders and by the priesthood assembly of elders and by the priesthood was the duty of the kings to be just, make the laws function was the duty of the kings to be just, make the laws function

equitably, and to be subject to the law, rather than considered its equitably, and to be subject to the law, rather than considered its source source

concepts served as a point of departure for the codification of law concepts served as a point of departure for the codification of law were the foundation for the social contract between the rulers and were the foundation for the social contract between the rulers and

the ruled, between different classes, and ideally without prejudice the ruled, between different classes, and ideally without prejudice as to sex, nationality, or religious belief as to sex, nationality, or religious belief

How do we study Complex Societies?How do we study Complex Societies? Written LanguageWritten Language

some complex societies had written language, some complex societies had written language, but not all. but not all.

*i.e. The Andean societies had special historians to *i.e. The Andean societies had special historians to remember events.remember events.

writing systems began as pictures or writing systems began as pictures or pictographs, called Ideographic Writing pictographs, called Ideographic Writing Systems.Systems.

*i.e. Chinese writing system developed in this way, *i.e. Chinese writing system developed in this way, has as many as 70-125,000 characters that represent has as many as 70-125,000 characters that represent a meaning.a meaning.

One who undertakes the task of understanding an One who undertakes the task of understanding an ancient text must draw upon ideas and ancient text must draw upon ideas and information from a range of disciplines: information from a range of disciplines: anthropology, archeology, art history, economics, anthropology, archeology, art history, economics, linguistics, mathematics, political and social linguistics, mathematics, political and social history, psychology and theology. history, psychology and theology.

Writing SystemsWriting Systems Pictograph Pictograph is a direct image of the object it represents. is a direct image of the object it represents. Ideograph Ideograph are pictograms that represent ideas linked to a are pictograms that represent ideas linked to a

particular object.particular object. Phonograph-Phonograph-An ideogram becomes a phonogram when it An ideogram becomes a phonogram when it

also stands for the sounds of the word also stands for the sounds of the word Logographic-Logographic-the written character represents both the the written character represents both the

meaning and pronunciation of a word.meaning and pronunciation of a word. An example of a logographic system is Chinese writing An example of a logographic system is Chinese writing

Syllabic-Syllabic-can be efficiently used for languages in which can be efficiently used for languages in which words can be phonologically represented by relatively few words can be phonologically represented by relatively few syllables (about one hundred in Japanese), and in which there syllables (about one hundred in Japanese), and in which there are no underlying consonant clusters. are no underlying consonant clusters.

Consonantal alphabet-Consonantal alphabet-only the consonants are only the consonants are symbolically represented (for example, Hebrew and Arabic). symbolically represented (for example, Hebrew and Arabic).

Alphabet writing-a few sympols (letters).Alphabet writing-a few sympols (letters). Mixed script (like the Egyptian hieroglyphs, for Mixed script (like the Egyptian hieroglyphs, for

example, that are a mixture of logograms and example, that are a mixture of logograms and phonograms)phonograms)

Logograms-Chinese WritingLogograms-Chinese Writing

Early Early Chinese Chinese

LogogramsLogograms: Recorded : Recorded on animal on animal

bonebone

Alphabetic-Translation of Alphabetic-Translation of Hungarian Runes Hungarian Runes

How do we study Complex Societies?How do we study Complex Societies? Specialization-people involved in nonagricultural Specialization-people involved in nonagricultural

activities such as pottery, metalworking, and activities such as pottery, metalworking, and weaving.weaving.

Status and Social ranking-archaeologists can Status and Social ranking-archaeologists can observe differences in houses, burial style and observe differences in houses, burial style and material goods.material goods.

Trade and Exchange-with increased social Trade and Exchange-with increased social complexity, trade expanded.complexity, trade expanded.

ReligionReligion many elements of complex society is involved in many elements of complex society is involved in

religion, but studying it is difficult. religion, but studying it is difficult. can understand practical items, but how do we get to can understand practical items, but how do we get to

know what a religion meant to people.know what a religion meant to people. *i.e. any item whose function is not known has a tendency *i.e. any item whose function is not known has a tendency

to be explained as a ritual object.to be explained as a ritual object.

Craft Specialization-Ceremonial Craft Specialization-Ceremonial Vessels from EgyptVessels from Egypt

How do we study Complex Societies?How do we study Complex Societies? Monumental ArchitectureMonumental Architecture

Helps to locate sites, provides information Helps to locate sites, provides information about political organization, ritual beliefs and about political organization, ritual beliefs and lifeways.lifeways.

*i.e. Sumerian ziggurats (5,000 B.P.) served as *i.e. Sumerian ziggurats (5,000 B.P.) served as religious and food distribution centers.religious and food distribution centers.

Egyptian pyramids-first built by Pharaoh Djoser Egyptian pyramids-first built by Pharaoh Djoser 4,680 B.P. built as burial chambers. 4,680 B.P. built as burial chambers.

The Great Pyramid at Giza is 481 feet tall and covers The Great Pyramid at Giza is 481 feet tall and covers 13 acres. 13 acres.

Egypt-Monumental ArchitectureEgypt-Monumental Architecture

King Sneferu’s Bent Pyramid The Pyramid of Menkaure, son of Khafre.

Khufu, son of King Sneferu. The Great Pyramid is the only surviving member of the Seven Wonders of the World (Height: 138.75 m (455.21 ft)Length of Side: 230.37).

Ancient Chinese Civilizations-Ancient Chinese Civilizations-Monumental ArchitectureMonumental Architecture

Dunhuang and the Cave of Manuscripts 111 BC

Northern end of the Mogao cliff face, pitted with caves for shelter 366 A.D.