8.2) Analyze characteristics of early civilizations in respect to technology, division of labor, government, Calendar, and writings.
MESOPOTAMIA 1. TECHNOLOGY Mesopotamian people developed many technologies, among them metalworking, glassmaking, textile weaving, food control, and water storage and irrigation. They were also one of the first Bronze age people in the world
2. DIVISION of LABOR Mesopotamia was the first known region to have a division of labor. A division of labor means that various people had various occupations. Of course, with a division of labor, there was a social hierarchy. Kings were at the top of the social hierarchy in Mesopotamia, obviously because they ruled certain areas.
3. GOVERNMENT The Code of Hammurabi is a well-preserved Babylonian code of law of ancient Mesopotamia, dated back to about 1754 BC (Middle Chronology). It is one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length in the world. The sixth Babylonian king, Hammurabi, enacted the code.
4. WRITING Cuneiform is a system of writing first developed by the ancient Sumerians of Mesopotamia c. 3500-3000 BCE. It is considered the most significant among the many cultural contributions of the Sumerians and the greatest among those of the Sumerian city of Uruk which advanced the writing of cuneiform c. 3200 BCE.
Egypt 1. TECHNOLOGY Ancient Egyptian technology describes devices and technologies invented or used in Egypt. The Egyptians invented and used many simple machines, such as the ramp and the Lever, to aid construction processes. They used rope trusses to stiffen the beam of ships. Egyptian paper, made from papyrus, and pottery were mass-produced and exported throughout the Mediterranean basin. The wheel was used for a number of purposes, but chariots only came into use after the Second intermediate period . The Egyptians also played an important role in developing Mediterranean maritime technology including ships and lighthouses.
2. DIVISION of LABOR (WHAT DID PEOPLE DO?) DESCRIBE and 2 PICTURES In the social pyramid of ancient Egypt the pharaoh and those associated with divinity were at the top, and servants and slaves made up the bottom. The Egyptians also elevated some human beings to gods. Their leaders, called pharaohs, were believed to be gods in human form. They had absolute power over their subjects.
3. GOVERNMENT Code of Hammurabi. The Code of Hammurabi is a well-preserved Babylonian code of law of ancient Mesopotamia, dated back to about 1754 BC (Middle Chronology). It is one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length in the world.
4. WRITING The ancient Egyptians believed that it was important to record and communicate information about religion and government. Thus, they invented written scripts that could be used to record this information.