During the past 30,000 years, the human species has evolved from a primitive hunter-gatherer lifestyle to the complex civilization of today. Civilization is characterized by the development of law and government, writing systems, urbanization, agriculture (a system for growing food), division of labor, specialization, cultural development, a religion and technology. Civilized people typically have a higher standard of living than those who live in uncivilized societies.
Anthropologists believe that the earliest civilizations developed in river valleys such as those of ancient Egypt, China, Mesopotamia and India. The early inhabitants, whose earliest tools have been found by archaeologists, created complex bones and stone implements to help with farming, digging irrigation ditches and constructing housing and daily utensils. In addition, they discovered how to domesticate plants and animals. Domestication allowed the early peoples to produce a steady supply of food and to settle in climates that were too cold for hunting-gathering.
The key to a society’s becoming a civilization, according to historians, is the emergence of agricultural settlements that could consistently produce food surpluses. This gave rise to a division of labor and enabled people to specialize in non-agricultural activities. These activities may include craft production, writing, science, art and religion. Civilization is also characterized by the growth of large cities and the expansion of international trade.
In the early stages of civilization, it was common for the political and religious leaders to be closely connected. In Ancient Egypt, for example, the pharaohs claimed to be divine kings and human incarnations of gods. In most cases, political and religious leaders did not act independently of one another, but instead worked to support and justify the power of their governing bodies.
During the Middle Ages, the European nations that are now called countries grew into powerful kingdoms. They expanded their territories through war and colonization, resulting in the spread of culture, religion and technology. The European kingdoms were characterized by a highly educated population, a well-developed economy and political institutions such as a monarchy.
The spread of civilization continues to this day. In the 21st century, most of the world’s people live in modern industrialized nations with high standards of health and education and a rich variety of cultural and spiritual practices. Despite its many achievements, the modern world is facing challenges such as environmental degradation and increasing economic inequality. The future of civilization will likely depend on its ability to address these problems while preserving the social fabric that makes it possible. As this happens, the world will continue to evolve into a more harmonious and peaceful place.