HIST 1001 Chapter : First Civilization
Document Summary
First civilization: agriculture, sumerians (8500 bc, between tigris and euphrates, rivers necessary due to the arid climate. Also brought fertile soil: emmer, first wheat/flour (harvested and made, neolithic era, civilization emerges, population growth, control of water, over thousands of year develop irrigation systems, leadership: the role of priests, natural disasters gave rise to priests. Were put in power in the hopes that they could stop these disasters: also tried to understand the gods. Fundamentals of civilization: created by priests through observation of the natural world, accurate measurement, measuring time. Solar position, constellations, waxing and waning of the moon. However lunar (354 days) and solar (364) years do not correlate. Create a calendar of 12 months based on the moon; but didn"t fit the agricultural calendar. Decided to have one month of partying every 3 years: measuring distance. Geometry: build structures that would be sound.
