Compare and contrast Neolithic society with "civilization"; to assess the geographical factors in the establishment of early civilizations. 

 

Neolithic Society and Early Civilization

Neolithic society is composed of the people living in the last Stone Age period. The group is known for the megalithic architecture, the spread of agriculture, and the invention of polished stone tools. It was during this era that cereal cultivation and domestication of animals began. However, the development of agriculture happened at different times in different regions, and thus no exact date for the start of the Neolithic era (Radi et al., 2018). On the other hand, early civilization is marked by the first stable communities that formed the foundation for empires, nations, and states worldwide. The decisive factor that made human beings settle in permanent settlements was the domestication of animals and agriculture ("Ancient Civilization"). Despite the regional and climatic differences, all the early civilizations had a similar way of developing.

During the Neolithic era, critical developments in human life occurred. Human beings began owning personal property; there were social divisions and occupational specialization. Human beings also began forming political structures, and with advancements in technology, warfare became profitable. Agrarian societies, centered on technology development, farming, and transportation, began to develop (Radi et al., 2018). Living in permanent settlements also brought about social organization among the Neolithic communities. During this period, food preparation and storage were managed at the village level but not at the house level. During the Neolithic era, feudalism, an agricultural system where some people economically benefit at their expense. There were different classes with the nobility, the appropriating class, being at the top. The serfs who were the producing class followed while the minor class comprised soldiers, artisans, and the clergy. Land ownership was either through inheritance, seizure, or acquired through marriage.

In Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and the Indus valley, the early civilization developed in riverbanks, and field agriculture was majorly practiced. The communities were dependent on the production of seeds from planted grains. During this era, human beings could control food production and always be assured of continued supply. Communities began to form permanent settlements along fertile river valleys (Fuller et al., 2019). Rivers were a significant source of fresh drinking water, water for irrigation, and a form of transport for their agricultural production. The advancement in farming resulted in the building of cities as a large number of people could be fed, and thus populations grew. More complex social structures also developed as labor division, with some conducting farming while others pursued other crafts (Fuller et al., 2019). The development of mathematics significantly boosted agriculture as humans could study the sun, moon, and planets to calculate seasons. Measurement of land areas, seeds, and grains was also a significant factor in advancement. A war between cities led to the rise of kings, and more unified states with common and centralized governments were formed.

Geography and the environment have played a significant role in the establishment of all the early civilizations. Rivers act as a source of water for irrigation and transport, while mountains and deserts are barriers. For instance, the Egyptian civilization was founded in the same way as the Sumerian cities. The banks that overflowed regularly provided nutrients to the desert soil, enabling Egyptians to build a thriving empire of over 3000 years (Angelikas et al., 2020). In addition to the river, the harsh desert climate protected them from enemies. This allowed income to be invested in architecture and art rather than in weapons.