HSTS 354 - Studyguide 1 Lecture Review

Flashcards based on lecture notes covering topics on the urban/rural divide, the origins of cities, and the progression of urban civilizations.

Urban

An area characterized by higher population density and vast human-built features as opposed to rural areas.

Agglomeration

The process of businesses and people gathering together in a concentrated area to enhance economic efficiency.

Neolithic Transition

The period around 10,000–5,000 BCE characterized by the development of agriculture and the establishment of permanent settlements.

Urban Revolution

A term coined by V. Gordon Childe, describing the transition from small village societies to urban centers characterized by division of labor, surplus production, and complex social hierarchies.

Heterarchy

A form of social organization where multiple authorities operate independently and co-exist without a strict hierarchical structure.

Mesopotamia

An ancient region located in the eastern Mediterranean, known for its early urban centers such as Uruk and the development of civilization.

Indus Civilization

An ancient civilization noted for its advanced urban planning, architecture, and absence of monumental structures distinct to rulers.

Agrarian Society

A society predominantly based on agriculture and cultivation of land, often leading to the establishment of cities.

Socioeconomic Inequality

A disparity in wealth and resources among individuals or groups within a society, often seen in urban centers.

Cultural Influence

The impact of cultural practices and ideas from larger urban centers spreading to surrounding regions or societies.