Theories of civilisation appearance

Main

Civilizations, complex societies often associated with progress and development, did not emerge out of nowhere. Various theories explain their origins, considering factors such as environment, culture, social structure, water management, and economy.

For example, the term "Fertile Crescent" describes a Middle Eastern region once rich in resources and considered the birthplace of some of the world's earliest civilizations. This region, including modern-day Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan, resembles a crescent shape, hence the name.

In the context of theories on the emergence of civilizations, the Fertile Crescent is significant for several reasons:

• Firstly, it supports the theory of environmental determinism, as the region's fertile lands and access to major rivers like the Tigris and Euphrates provided ideal conditions for agriculture, a key factor in the rise of civilizations.

• Secondly, several major civilizations, including the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians, emerged in the Fertile Crescent, supporting the theory of social complexity. These civilizations had intricate social structures with various specialized roles.

• Thirdly, the Fertile Crescent was a center of cultural diffusion: ideas, technologies, and cultural practices spread among the different civilizations that arose in this region.

• Finally, the hydraulic hypothesis and economic theories are also reflected in the Fertile Crescent. Civilizations in this region developed complex irrigation systems for water management and engaged in trade with other regions, contributing to their economic growth.

Terms

• Environmental (or geographical) determinism: The idea that the place where people live, its climate, and landscape determine the development of their society. For example, people living near rivers might learn to grow crops because the land there is fertile.

• Cultural diffusion: When one group of people adopts the beliefs, activities, and technologies of another group. For example, people learn to use chopsticks because they start eating Chinese food.

• Social complexity: Refers to the number of different roles people play in society. For example, in a small village, one person might be the leader, healer, and teacher. But in a large city, these would be different people.

• Irrigation theory: This theory suggests that learning to manage water resources was crucial for the development of civilizations. For example, people might build canals to bring water to their crops.

• Economic theories: These theories propose that factors like trade and resource availability played a significant role in the development of civilizations. For example, a place with a lot of gold might attract traders and become a wealthy city.

Analogy

Imagine a civilization as a pot of soup. The environment is the pot, providing the basic conditions. The ingredients are the culture, added and mixed in various amounts and ways. The heat is the economy, driving changes and transformations. The cook, stirring the soup and adding spices, is the social complexity, shaping and directing the process. The final soup is unique, just like each civilization.

Common Misconception

A common misconception is that civilizations developed in isolation. In reality, they often influenced each other through trade, wars, and cultural exchange. For example, Greek civilization was greatly influenced by the older Egyptian and Middle Eastern civilizations.

History

1. People have pondered the origins of civilizations for a long time, but these theories began to develop significantly in the 19th and 20th centuries.

2. Over time, these theories evolved as we learned more about human societies and cultures.

3. As the famous anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss said, "The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, but one who asks the right questions."

Three Examples of Practical Use

1. Urban Planning: Understanding these theories can help people design better cities. Cities that harmonize with the environment, culture, and economy are more pleasant to live in.

2. International Relations: People working in diplomacy or politics can use these theories to better understand other countries and cultures, leading to improved cooperation between nations.

3. Business: Entrepreneurs can use these theories to understand markets and consumers in different countries, helping them sell their products more effectively.

Interesting Facts

• The oldest known civilization is the Sumerian civilization in Mesopotamia, which emerged around 4500 BCE.

• The Inca civilization in South America did not have a written language.

• The Indus Valley Civilization, located in modern-day Pakistan and India, had advanced urban planning and sanitation systems.