Common Characteristics of Civilization free essay sample

Many people define civilization in different ways. Both archeologist Child and another historian thought for civilization to exist it had to include: the plow, wheeled cart and draft animals, sailing ships, the smelting of copper and bronze, a solar calendar, writing, standards of measurement, irrigation ditches, specialized craftsmen, urban centers and a surplus of food necessary to support non-agricultural workers who lived within the walls of the city. In addition, the historian thought that a civilization needed human organization, too, not Just human achievements. He leveled a civilization also needed money collected through taxes, a privileged ruling class, a centralized government and a national religious or priestly class. Then there was Chuckhole who believed there were three necessary factors for collocation: towns containing more than 5000 people, writing, and monumental ceremonial centers. Lastly, there Is anthropologist Adams who believed that collocation needed: class stratification based on the ownership and control of production, political and religious hierarchies complementing each other In the central administration of territorially organized states and lastly, a complex division f labor, with skilled workers, soldiers and officials existing alongside the great mass of peasant producers. We will write a custom essay sample on Common Characteristics of Civilization: or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page So, some common characteristics of civilization are: the ability to write, a need for government hierarchy, and skilled workers and specialized craftsmen.I believe that there can be exceptions to the characteristics of a civilization just like there are many definitions of civilization; for instance, I do not believe monumental ceremonial centers are a necessity to have a civilization; however, the ability to communicate is important. I do feel there are certain things you must have to be a civilization: the ability to communicate this is essential for organization and planning, a government hierarchy to keep law and order, an abundance of food to support a large community, and skilled workers to craft tools.Just like the text stated, civilization is a word easier to describe than it is to define. However, I do not feel that the word civilization accurately characterizes groups of people. This word encompasses many people and their cultures, so it would put two completely different groups of people (republicans and democrats) under the same definition. Even though these two groups of people may live together In a civilization and share common things, they have many differences.Common Characteristics of Civilization: By linearitys civilization: towns containing more than 5000 people, writing, and monumental ceremonial centers. Lastly, there is anthropologist Adams who believed that civilization needed: class stratification based on the ownership and control of production, political and religious hierarchies complementing each other in the there can be exceptions to the characteristics of a civilization Just like there are many in a civilization and share common things, they have many differences.