Civilization is a broad term that encompasses the intricate tapestry of human advancement. It spans culture, technology, and societal structures. It is an essential part of the human story, and it is the reason why the world we live in today is so much different than it was 250 years ago—and even 10,000 years ago.
The five essential traits of civilization are urban sophistication, advanced agriculture, centralized governance, organized religion, and advanced science and technology. Civilizations also develop diverse cultural traits, including art and architecture, metallurgy, mathematics, philosophy, political structures, and religious beliefs. In a recent study, researchers found that the size of a civilization correlates with the complexity of its division of labor and social organization, as well as its geographic reach and military capability. A civilization can achieve its full potential only when all members of a society contribute to its growth.
Civilized societies typically have a central government, a system of justice, and a way to preserve knowledge. They may also have a complex division of labor, arts, and crafts, and a developed transportation network. They are able to sustain themselves by producing food and artifacts, which they can trade with other communities. They are also able to build monumental public works that enhance the quality of life and foster connectivity. Moreover, they can record their history and discoveries in writing, which acts as a bridge between generations.
Most civilizations grow along rivers and other water sources that offer a reliable source of water for drinking, cooking, and growing crops. The ancient river valley civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt flourished in these fertile landscapes. This allowed the people of these civilizations to cultivate and store crops and produce a variety of crafts, which in turn led to a more diverse society that could survive on a regular basis.
It is important to note that the term “civilization” originated with European scholars. The word is derived from Latin, civis, which means citizen. As such, early scholars used the label to describe societies they found superior to those they considered barbaric or primitive. They often used the term in conjunction with racial and religious prejudice, as well as colonialism.
However, as more information about these societies has come to light, the concept of civilization has evolved over time. These new insights have challenged some of the long-held theories that defined what a civilization was. For example, a new study has found that the rapid rise of civilization in about 10,000 BCE was not due to some sort of evolutionary adaptation. Darwinian selection does not work on such short time scales, and punctuated equilibria models are often flawed in their application to human societies. Rather, the emergence of civilization was the result of the development of norm-governed language, which enabled a process of cultural accumulation and refinement. This process was a critical factor in the evolution of civilizations and other important phase transitions that shape our world. The emergence of civilization thus demonstrates that human societies are cyclical, not linear.