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An introduction to what makes a group of people a civilization, focusing on how early humans started living together in large groups.
Imagine you never had to pack your bags again because you found a way to grow your own food right where you are! How would your life change if you stayed in one spot forever?
Long ago, the first humans were nomads. This means they moved from place to place to hunt animals and gather berries. They didn't have permanent homes because they had to follow their food! But about years ago, humans discovered a 'superpower' called farming. Instead of searching for food, they learned to plant seeds and raise animals. Because crops take time to grow, people had to stay in one place. When large groups of people settle down, build permanent homes, and create a shared way of life, we call it a civilization.
Quick Check
What is the main reason early humans stopped moving from place to place?
Answer
They discovered farming, which required them to stay in one place to grow crops.
Not every small village is a civilization. To be a civilization, a group usually needs three main things. First is a surplus of food. This means growing more food than you need to eat right away. Second is specialized buildings, like big granaries to store grain or temples for worship. Third is a system of rules or government. When thousands of people live together, they need rules to keep things fair and organized. These three things help a small village grow into a powerful city!
1. Imagine a family needs bags of grain to survive the winter. 2. Because they learned better farming, they actually grow bags of grain. 3. The extra bags () is the surplus. 4. Because they have extra food, they don't have to spend all day farming and can start building a permanent house instead!
Quick Check
What are the three main things a civilization needs?
Answer
A surplus of food, specialized buildings, and a system of rules (government).
In a civilization, because there is a surplus of food, not everyone has to be a farmer. This leads to specialization, which means people have different jobs. Some people become builders, some make pottery, and others become leaders or soldiers. This is like a giant team where everyone has a special role. By working together and following the same rules, these people can build amazing things like pyramids, irrigation systems, and large marketplaces that last for hundreds of years.
In a village of people: 1. people work as farmers to grow enough food for everyone. 2. people work as builders to make strong stone houses. 3. people work as weavers to make clothes for the village. 4. people work as leaders to make sure the water from the river is shared fairly.
Imagine a city grows to people. Everyone wants to use the same bridge at the same time, causing traffic! 1. The leaders create a rule: 'Carts go across in the morning, and walkers go across in the afternoon.' 2. This rule is a part of their government. 3. Without this rule, the civilization would be messy and people might fight. Rules keep the civilization strong!
What does the word nomad mean?
Which of these is a surplus of apples?
Civilizations need rules and government to help large groups of people live together peacefully.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to explain to a friend or family member what the three 'ingredients' of a civilization are without looking at your notes.
Practice Activity
Draw a picture of a 'Mini-Civilization.' Include one farm (food), one special building (like a library), and one sign showing a rule (like 'No shouting').