Key Inventions and Systems Developed by Early Civilisations
Early civilisations introduced groundbreaking inventions and systems that laid the foundation for societal development.
Empire and Colonialism
- Empire building accelerated through innovations such as writing, which facilitated administration over large territories and the recording of laws, treaties, and trade.
- Examples include the cuneiform system of Mesopotamia (c. 3200 BC) and Egyptian hieroglyphics (c. 3100 BC).
Revolutions and Transformations
- The Agricultural Revolution enabled more permanent settlements and population growth, leading to urbanisation.
- City planning emerged, exemplified by the grid layouts of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro in the Indus Valley (c. 2600 BC).
Trade Networks and Economic History
- The establishment of trade networks was supported by innovations such as the concept of money, which simplified transactions and encouraged economic growth.
- Systems of weights and measures were developed to facilitate fair trade, evident in ancient Mesopotamia.
Religion and Belief Systems
- Religious practices were codified through writing, allowing for the recording of myths, doctrines, and rituals.
- Calendars were developed to align agricultural activities with seasonal changes, as seen in the Egyptian lunar calendar (c. 3000 BC).
Technological and Scientific Developments
- Inventions such as the wheel (c. 3500 BC) and irrigation systems revolutionised transportation and agriculture.
- Astronomical observations led to advanced calendrical systems, crucial for agrarian societies, like the Maya calendar.
Global Interconnectedness
- Trade routes linked distant civilisations, promoting the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies, such as the Silk Road.
- These interactions advanced cultural exchange and fostered cooperation among diverse societies.
Comparative Civilisations
- Written languages and record-keeping allowed civilisations like the Egyptians, Sumerians, and Chinese to develop complex political systems.
- The comparative study of these systems sheds light on the various approaches to governance and societal organisation.
Socio-Cultural and Political Reasons
- Writing and record-keeping enabled the emergence of bureaucracies, which were essential for managing large populations and resources.
- City planning reflected social hierarchies and spatial organisation, influencing how communities interacted and functioned.
