Dallas Museum of Natural History
Come visit our brand new River Valley Civilization exhibit!
by. Sneha Karkala, Victoria Kennedy, Amy Roh, and Julia Tian
Indus
Cities
Government
The language of the Indus has yet to be deciphered, so historians are not sure of the type of government those of the Indus had. However, many believe that each city had its own ruler.
Social Structure
The social structure of the Aryans led to the caste system.
Culture-Religion
The prominent religions of the Indus led to Hinduism.
Culture-Art
Ancient Harappan Art
Writing
Ancient Vedas Scriptures
Eygpt
Map of Egypt cities
Government
- Ancient Egypt was a theocracy
- Was controlled by a clergy, but the head of everything in the cities was the Pharaoh, who the people believed was sent by the Gods.
Social Structure
- Pharaoh
- Priests and nobles
- Traders, artisans, shopkeepers, and scribes
- Farmers and herders
- Unskilled workers
Culture-Religion
- Egyptians worshiped many deities.
- They had as many as 2000 gods and goddesses.
Culture-Art
Wall painting of Nefertari
Writing
- The Egyptians wrote in hieroglyphics.
China
Map of Chinese Cities
- Network of walled towns along the Yellow River
- Capital was in modern city of Anyang
Government
- Ruled over by loyal followers of the priest-king. Thus, it was mostly ruled by local leaders, aristocrats.
The King held supreme power, and was the political and religious leader.
Social Structure
- The emperor and aristocrats were at the top.
- Farmers and slaves were at the bottom.
- Very family oriented.
- Men were favored over women.
Culture: Art
- Bronze sculptures decorated with detailed inscriptions played a major role in the art of the civilization
Writing System
- Wrote in pictographs/ideographs
- No phonetic or alphabetic compound
- First written on oracle bones
Religion
- Taoism and Confucianism
- Ancestor Veneration was major part of religion
- Summoned and prayed to dead ancestors for advice
Mesopotamia
Cities
The Sumerians built cities with independent governments.
Government
- Each city-state had their own rulers and government.
- Rulers were seen as human representatives of gods and they lived in temples.
Social Structure
- The King - head of the army
- Priests - educated upper class
- Scribes -literate and wealthy men
- Merchants & Artisans
- Commoners
- Slaves - known by a unique haircut
Culture: Religion
- Polytheistic
- Gods controlled nature
Culture: Art
- Statue of Gudea
- Paintings focused on geometric and natural themes.
Writing
- Used pictograms
- Used to record and communicate about crops and taxes.
- Developed into cuneiform.