Defining Civilisation
At the end of the Neolithic period, humans began settling down and farming. However, a “civilisation” represents a leap forward from simple village life. It is an advanced stage of human society characterized by complexity and organization.
Key Characteristics
For a society to be termed a civilisation, it generally possesses the following features:
- Urbanism: The growth of cities with town planning and public amenities (like drainage).
- Government & Administration: A system to manage complex societies, maintain order, and organize collective works.
- Crafts: Specialized production of goods (ornaments, tools) using raw materials like stone and metal.
- Trade: Exchange of goods within the city, with other regions, and even with distant lands.
- Writing: A system to keep records and communicate.
- Productive Agriculture: Farming that produces enough surplus to feed people living in cities who are not farmers (like artisans or rulers).
Tip
Think About It: Which of these is fundamental? Productive agriculture is often considered the foundation, as surplus food allows people to leave farming and take up other specialized roles like trading, ruling, or crafting.