The 7 Characteristics of a

Civilization
 Introduction
Welcome to the birth of history! In this short

unit, we will explore what a civilization is.

Through the knowledge gained about

civilizations, students will be able to analyze,

explain, and eventually evaluate how each of

the upcoming units fits or does not fit the

classification of a civilization.
 Pretest
1. What is a civilization?

2. What are the 7 characteristics of a

civilization?
 What is a Civilization?
A civilization is an advanced state of human society.
There are 7 characteristics that define a
civilization.
• Stable food supply - Social structure
• System of government - Religious system
• Highly developed culture - Advances in technology
• Written language

Be careful to not associate civilization with civilized

and everyone else as barbarians or primitives.
 Stable Food Supply
• Civilizations need a stable supply of food.

Societies can only thrive with plenty of food.

• Domesticating of animals and agriculture

allowed civilizations to create a stable food

supply.

Why is this important?

Agriculture/Domestication v Hunter/Gatherer
 Social Structure
• Civilizations have a complex organization, or
social structure. This controlled through
different jobs and social levels (or status).
• Social pyramids example
1. Ruler
2. Landowners/priests/government officials
3. Common class (merchants, craftspeople, etc)
4. Slaves

• What is the social structure

pyramid at Parker?
 System of Government
• Civilizations need a well organized system of government
to help direct people’s behavior and keep life orderly.

• The government is in charge of enforcing laws,

construction, leading the army, and distribution of food.

• Every civilization has their own style of ruler

-Kings -President -Pope
-Pharaoh -Senate -Oligarchy

How does the government help you?

 Religious System
• All civilizations need a religious system. This

includes, set of beliefs, God(s), and place of worship.

• As we progress through the year, we will see how

religious views evolved over time.

What is religion’s role

in society today?
 Highly Developed Culture
• All civilizations must have a highly
developed culture including the arts, like
painting, architecture, and music.

• Culture is a way to show what a civilization

values (important to them).

• What is a piece of culture

that is present in our lives?
 Advances in Technology
• All civilizations create new forms of technology
(tools or inventions).
• These advances prove that a civilization not only
developed, but also provided contribution to
surrounding area and future generations.
Remember Shutruk Nahunte

What is an advance in
technology for the US?
 Written Language
• All civilizations must have a highly developed written
language.
• The beginning of history means the beginning of
writing. The first known language was cuneiform,
created by the Sumerians
• An example of writing can also be pictographs

What would your life be like

without any writing?
 What is a Civilization?
• Each of these steps is a valuable piece of
a civilization.

• Working in groups of 3, you will each have

a poster for one of the key characters.
– Must include:
Characteristic
Definition
Big Picture that describes the characteristic