Early River Valley Civilizations – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the notes on early civilizations, Mesopotamia, and the Bronze Age.

Agriculture

Farming that allowed nomadic hunter-gatherers to settle into larger, permanent communities.

Civilization

A complex society with organized government, economy, social-cultural systems, and religion.

Five traits of civilization

The five features: advanced cities, specialized workers, complex institutions, record keeping, and advanced technology.

Advanced cities

Urban centers that act as political/economic/cultural hubs for surrounding areas.

Specialized workers

People with jobs beyond farming (artisans, traders, priests, soldiers).

Complex institutions

Long-lasting organized structures such as governments and religious systems that guide society.

Record keeping

Writing and keeping important records (laws, taxes, events).

Scribes

Professional writers who recorded information and laws.

Cuneiform

The first writing system, using wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.

Bronze Age

A period when bronze tools and weapons were used; started around 3000 BCE in Mesopotamia.

Sumer

An ancient Mesopotamian civilization in southern Mesopotamia, a cradle of urban life.

Mesopotamia

Region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the Fertile Crescent.

Fertile Crescent

A fertile, curved region in the Middle East where early civilizations arose.

Tigris and Euphrates

The two rivers feeding Mesopotamia; their floods were unpredictable, prompting irrigation.

Irrigation

System of canals and dams to supply water to crops.

Wheel

An invention that enabled transport and pottery, essential technology of the era.

Sailboat

A boat propelled by wind using sails, facilitating river and sea trade.

Bronze

An alloy of copper and tin used for tools and weapons; stronger than stone or copper alone.

Polytheism

Belief in multiple gods.

Temples

Religious centers that also served administrative and storage roles in early cities.

Canals

Man-made waterways used to manage irrigation and water flow.

Trade

The exchange of goods, often by barter rather than money.

Government

Institution that makes and enforces laws, maintains order, and oversees public affairs.

Social class pyramid

A hierarchical structure showing ranks (free people, slaves, rulers) within society.