Advancement?

Civilization is a term often used to describe the cultural, scientific and government advancement of a people or society. Mesopotamia, Egypt and China are one of the first civilizations. As humans began to settle, their social structures became more organized. They developed governments and with governments came hierarchies. Inequality between genders and classes of the population became more visible and eventually became normal even for later cultures. Those with more resources did less manual labor. They had more land and wealth at their disposal. In Egypt pharaohs were buried in well designed pyramids. In Mesopotamia monuments of human heads were built to remember great rulers. As human beings began to settle down they could also be distinguished by their clothing, banners, weapons and homes. Trade also developed. Egypt and Mesopotamia traded with each other and beyond the Middle East to Africa and China. These cultures influenced each other. Today we benefit from the literacy and accounting skills that began with these early civilizations and developed over time. Our modern calendar traces is origins as far back ancient times.

The term civilization is paradoxical. It implies that there are uncivilized people and cultures. The word carries a sense of superiority. Advancement in some areas also led to the loss of other values like being egalitarian in gender, status and wealth. In the First Civilizations and many that followed the commoners represented the majority of the population. State officials on the other hand had more power and means to provide attendants, policemen and soldiers. This increased  the amount of violence in society. Slavery emerged at the same time as civilization. Over the years it took on different forms--with varying expectations and rights of the slaves if at all they had any. Robert Stayer says some historians prefer not to use the word "civilization" because it gives the impression that each society was a clearly defined, solid territory of peoples with a clear identity. However, it seems likely that local identities, clans and cultures were more important to people. This reminds me of the more "recent" notion of nations. Italy and German for example considered themselves members of specific regions before the independence of their countries.

We cannot have what we do not keep and we cannot keep what we do not value. Some people today long for a time when they believe things were simpler, more peaceful and beautiful. Would we fit in the First Civilizations if we were transported back in time? Our mindset would also have to change. The changes that come with each new time period are accompanied by parallel changes in the people. The transition is often gradual and makes adaptation possible. This adds to the new and different aspects of culture, science and politics that each time period contributes.