Landmarks of Humankind’s First

CivilizationsJUSTIN KIRK

Paleolithic Tools and Weapons

Evidence of tools and weapons during the Paleolithic period

provide insight into the beginnings of ancient culture. The period highlighted initial

abilities of humankind to create artifacts that helped provide

food and protection. Examples include chisels, spears, axes,

and harpoons (Fiero, 2006, p. 2). These tools and related

abilities provided the foundation for developments

such as farming and architecture in the later Mesolithic and Neolithic

periods, thus proving vital for any and all subsequent tolls that

we use today.

Another clear landmark event during the first civilizations was the invention and development of writing. Like the development of initial tools and weapons, ancient methods of writing provided a basis for writing systems we use today. In addition to the use of writing as a method of communication, it also served as a way to record information and history. Methods of writing evolved from methods of counting, beginning with the use of tokens by merchants as far back as 7500

B.C.E. (Fiero, 2006, p. 6). Eventually, tokens were replaced with pictographs and cuneiforms, the first representations of letters and type.

Writing

Metallurgy

Further advancing humankind’s ability to innovate and advance was the practice of metallurgy. Emerging after 4000 B.C.E. in

Asia Minor, the practice fortified early civilizations’ ability to not only use tools,

but to advance that use through the exploitation of natural resources such as copper ore (Fiero, 2006, p. 7). Advancing

from early tools, those practicing metallurgy developed the methods of

mining, smelting, and bronze casting (p. 8). In addition to tools, these methods

produced instruments, jewelry, toys, and other items that provided benefits aside from utility. Such items provided unique

specificity that distinguished various cultures from each other.

The Iron AgeAround 1000 B.C.E., talented

practitioners took information gained by practicing metallurgy in the bronze

age and applied it to the manipulation of iron for various purposes (Sherby & Wadsworth,

2000, p. 1). Ancient blacksmiths also further developed their methods of

using and understanding natural resources. They identified ways to determine the strength, hardness,

and even magnetic qualities of iron in order to best serve their purposes

(p.4). One can see how populations continued to increase their

knowledge, understanding, and sophisticated uses of natural

elements, which continued on and contributed to methods and

technologies used today.

MesopotamiaConcerning civilizations, the first significant landmark would undoubtedly be Mesopotamia. The “land between the rivers” cultivated many types of development and other historic landmarks of humankind such as tools, writing, metallurgy, and agriculture (Fiero, 2006, p. 9). Equally significant was that the civilization consisted of city-states that, while disjointed and

vulnerable to attack, served as the start of a cohesive community developed by its conquerors. Thus, Mesopotamia represented one of the first organized societies that would eventually inspire large, complex, and sophisticated state systems.

Animism

In addition to forming the beginnings of organized society, Mesopotamia’s people also

began trying to understand and explain the world around them. They based their

explanations on nature, believing that natural elements were alive and soul having. This

doctrine of belief, called animism, constituted one of the first theories and belief systems in the history of humankind (Saler, 199, p. 3).

Followers created myths that explained acts of natures and provided ways that would

supposedly prevent them. Further, animism spread to other cultures that adapted it to

their own needs for explanation

Hammurabi’s Law

Following the unification of Mesopotamian territories by

Babylonians and subsequent creation of the Babylonian Empire, territories were united further through the solidification of legal practices by Hammurabi (Fiero,

2006, p. 12). The code addressed various issues such as divorce, assault,

and theft, among others. Babylon’s sixth ruler created the most comprehensive

and expansive set of written laws during ancient times, providing inspiration for future legal systems. Significance of the

laws being in writing relates to consistency. Rulers could not change

laws or risk not recalling them correctly. Hammurabi’s code, therefore, did not

just serve as a basis for future legal systems but for political systems as well. There was now a written record of law

for both leaders and citizens to refer to.

Ancient Egypt Apart from ancient Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt represented another civilization that provided multiple benefits to future societies, making the civilization one of the most significant landmarks of ancient history. Ancient Egypt

persisted for three thousand years, providing examples of organized society, language, literature, architecture, religion, and economy (Graham, 2011, p. 19-25). Obvious examples included pharaoh leadership, hieroglyphs, pyramids, numerous gods, and trade. Ancient Egyptians made advancements that future societies could learn

from and adapt to their own civilizations.

Chinese Philosophy The various belief systems and philosophies of ancient China represent another significant landmark in the history of humankind, the application of philosophical thought to guidelines for how to live one’s life. Unlike animism, Chinese philosophies did not just attempt to explain events, but to give meaning to life and direct behavior accordingly. Confucianism, Daoism, and legalism essentially provided rules for individuals to follow in pursuit of certain goals. Confucianism gave followers advice on how to live in harmony, Daoism gave someone’s life meaning, and legalism provided a model to achieve peace and extend state power (Graham, 2011, p. 53-54)

The AmericasIn contrast to early civilizations that developed in Eurasia, civilization in the Americas made do with resources that did not come from the fertile crescent. However, they did take advantage of a climate suitable for cultivating maize

and other agriculture (Graham, 2011, p.42). Early Mesoamerica provided similar contributions in the form of agriculture, metallurgy, and religion. In addition, its archeological feats and integration of political and religious

systems made it distinct from other civilizations (42-43).

Works Cited Fiero, Gloria K. Landmarks in Humanities. 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. Print.

Graham, William A. The heritage of world civilizations. Pearson Education, 2011.

Saler, Benson. "EB Tylor and the Anthropology of Religion." Marburg Journal of Religion 2.1

(1997): 1-6.

Sherby, Oleg D., and Jeffrey Wadsworth. "Ancient blacksmiths, the Iron Age, Damascus steels,

and modern metallurgy." Journal of Materials Processing Technology 117.3 (2001): 347-353.