Glossary
Agriculture
The practice of cultivating plants and raising animals for food, fiber, or other products.
Example:
The development of agriculture meant that communities no longer had to constantly search for wild food sources, leading to more stable settlements.
Ancient China
A major civilization that developed along the Yellow (Huang He) and Yangtze Rivers, known for its early cultivation of millet and rice.
Example:
The domestication of rice along the Yangtze River was a key agricultural innovation in Ancient China.
Ancient Egypt
A civilization that developed along the Nile River in Northeast Africa, known for its pharaohs, pyramids, and sophisticated agricultural practices.
Example:
The predictable annual flooding of the Nile River was crucial for the agricultural success of Ancient Egypt.
Indus Valley Civilization
An ancient civilization located in present-day Pakistan and northwest India, known for its well-planned cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
Example:
The sophisticated urban planning and drainage systems of the Indus Valley Civilization suggest a highly organized society.
Mesoamerica
A historical and cultural region in North America, extending from central Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica, where several pre-Columbian societies independently developed agriculture.
Example:
The cultivation of maize (corn) was a foundational agricultural practice for civilizations in Mesoamerica, such as the Olmec and Maya.
Mesopotamia (Fertile Crescent)
An ancient region in the Middle East, often called the 'cradle of civilization,' known for its early development of agriculture and urban centers between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
Example:
The invention of writing systems like cuneiform first emerged in Mesopotamia, reflecting its advanced societal organization.
Neolithic Revolution
A pivotal period in human history (roughly 10,000-3000 BCE) characterized by the transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural societies.
Example:
The Neolithic Revolution allowed early humans to build permanent villages, laying the groundwork for future civilizations.
Sedentism
The practice of living in one place for a long time, rather than moving around seasonally.
Example:
The shift to sedentism after the Neolithic Revolution led to the construction of more durable homes and the development of villages.
Specialization of Labor
The process by which individuals in a society focus on specific tasks or crafts rather than everyone performing the same general duties.
Example:
With a food surplus, some people could become potters or weavers, demonstrating the early signs of specialization of labor.
Surplus of food
An amount of food produced that is more than what is immediately needed for consumption.
Example:
A surplus of food in early farming communities allowed some individuals to pursue crafts or religious duties instead of farming.