Economic+Social Changes
These two inventions allowed ancient traders to transport goods over long distances.
Wheel & Sail
Believed to be one of the world's first civilizations, it was located in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq).
Sumer
Early human communities chose to settle in areas where this specific activity was prosperous.
Agriculture
By combining tin and copper, Sumerians created this alloy to make stronger tools, weapons, and armor.
Bronze
Food surpluses made it possible for people to pursue non-farming jobs leading to:
Specialization
Sumerians created the first known writing system by pressing a wedge-shaped stylus into these.
Clay tablets
These three hand tools were invented by early farmers to make working the land easier and faster.
Sickle, Hoe, Plow sticks
Towering over the city of Ur, these tall temple structures were used by priests to worship the city god.
Ziggurats
Building large irrigation systems required the labor of many workers, which helped form these social groupings based on wealth, power, and influence.
Social classes
The five characteristics that define a complex human society or civilization.
advanced cities, specialized workers, complex institutions, record keeping, and advanced technology
As farming technology improved, communities began to reap extra amounts of resources known by this term.
Surpluses
Because early city dwellers believed each city had its own protective deity while worshipping many gods, their religion was classified as this.
Polytheistic
Unlike Old Stone Age beliefs, New Stone Age farmers worshipped gods and goddesses that controlled these.
Nature (wind & rain)
Government, economy, and religion are examples of these long-lasting patterns of organization in a community.
Complex institutions
A direct result of food surpluses was the ability for communities to support and feed:
Larger populations
Discovered around 3500 BCE, this technology was adapted into carts to improve transportation.
Wheel