"Any complex society characterized by the development of the state, social stratification, urbanization, a currency, and symbolic systems of communication beyond natural spoken language (namely, a writing system)."
The study of the emergence and development of the earliest human societies, including Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China.
Geography: Understanding the physical characteristics of ancient civilizations such as rivers, mountains, deserts, and climate.
Chronology and Periodization: Timeline of major events, periods, and cultural developments in ancient civilizations.
Art and Architecture: The study of artistic expression and architectural styles of ancient civilizations, including sculpture, pottery, painting, and buildings.
Religion and Mythology: Beliefs and practices of ancient civilizations including gods, deities, and religious practices.
Social Structure and Economy: The structure of society and the economy of ancient civilizations including social classes and jobs.
Language and Writing: The study of language and writing systems of ancient civilizations.
Science and Technology: The scientific and technological advancements of ancient civilizations including astronomy, medicine, and engineering.
Trade and Commerce: The systems and practices of trade and commerce in ancient civilizations including currency and markets.
Political Systems and Governance: The structures of power and governance in ancient civilizations, including monarchies, republics, and empires.
Warfare: The military strategies and tactics of ancient civilizations including weapons, armor, and battles.
"Features including agriculture, architecture, infrastructure, technological advancement, taxation, regulation, and specialization of labor."
"A civilization has often been understood as a larger and 'more advanced' culture, in implied contrast to smaller, supposedly less advanced cultures."
"Non-centralized tribal societies, including the cultures of nomadic pastoralists, Neolithic societies, or hunter-gatherers."
"Civilizations are organized dense-populated settlements divided into hierarchical social classes with a ruling elite and subordinate urban and rural populations."
"Agriculture, mining, small-scale manufacture, and trade."
"Civilization concentrates power, extending human control over the rest of nature, including over other human beings."
"The word 'civilization' relates to the Latin word 'civitas' or 'city.'"
"The earliest emergence of civilizations is generally connected with the final stages of the Neolithic Revolution in West Asia."
"A political development associated with the appearance of a governing elite."
"A key characteristic of civilizations, indicating divisions within society."
"Urbanization is a characteristic of civilizations, contributing to their complexity and development."
"The organized and dense settlement within civilizations allows for intensive agriculture."
"Features that demonstrate the institutional and economic complexity of civilizations."
"It contrasts with non-centralized tribal societies, including the cultures of nomadic pastoralists."
"It contrasts with non-centralized tribal societies, including the cultures of hunter-gatherers."
"A symbolic system of communication beyond natural spoken language, enabling complex societal organization and record-keeping."
"Smaller, supposedly less advanced cultures."
"Mining, indicating the utilization of resources beyond basic sustenance."
"It is a feature of civilizations, indicating the development of skilled individuals in specific tasks or professions."