The Origins and Characteristics of the First Civilization: Sumer

Anthropologists, historians, and archaeologists often deliberate over the origins of human civilizations, with Sumer widely recognized as a pioneering example. This article will explore the characteristics of this ancient civilization and highlight the key elements that defined a culture as a civilization according to anthropological definitions.

Defining Civilizations: An Anthropological Perspective

Anthropologists study the various aspects of human life and society, aiming to understand the overarching patterns that shape our existence. When discussing the first civilization, it is important to recognize that a civilization goes beyond mere cultural achievements or technological advancements.

What Constitutes a Civilization?

According to anthropologists, before a human group can be considered a civilization, it must have accomplished several vital milestones:

Culture and Way of Life: A distinctive culture with its own set of beliefs, traditions, and practices. This includes social customs, religious rituals, and artistic expressions. Complex Social Structure: A sophisticated social organization with diverse social roles and hierarchical divisions. This typically includes: Agriculture: Development of advanced agricultural techniques that support a surplus of food, leading to a sedentary lifestyle. Social Classes: A stratified society with different social classes such as farmers, clergy, warriors, and aristocrats. Administrative roles and a structured leadership system are also key components. Writing and Knowledge: The establishment of systems for recording and disseminating knowledge through written records. This aligns with the development of legal codes, religious texts, and historical narratives. City-Building: Construction of urban centers with a well-defined social structure and a government system in place.

Misconceptions about Culture and Civilization

It is a common misunderstanding that the art and technology of a culture automatically equate to a civilization. While these elements are indeed significant, they are not sufficient criteria on their own. The term "civilization" originates from the Latin word civis, meaning "citizen of a city." A civilization requires a clear urban social structure and the presence of writing as a means of accumulating and disseminating knowledge.

The very term "civilization" comes from civis - citizen of a city, a city with a clear social structure and writing as a knowledge technology: the myths and legends of a culture are turned into history, the customs are codified in writing and become laws. All these are not to be found in a mere culture, no matter how many or complex achievements it has.

The Case of Sumer

Looking back in history, one of the earliest known civilizations was that of Sumer. Lying in the fertile crescent region of Mesopotamia, Sumerians developed a culture and a social structure that aligns closely with the anthropological definition of a civilization.

Urbanization: Sumerians established city-states such as Ur, Uruk, and Kish, which were foundational urban centers. Social Organization: They developed a well-structured society with roles for various social classes such as priests, warriors, and scribes. Agriculture and Engineering: Advances in irrigation and crop cultivation allowed for a surplus of food, supporting a more complex social system. Writing and Law: The Sumerians invented cuneiform writing, which was used for record-keeping, legal texts, and religious and historical documents.

Division of Labor and the Birth of a Civilization

The emergence of a civilization is often marked by the division of labor, a crucial indicator of advanced social organization. This specialization of roles in Sumer allowed for the refinement and expansion of various aspects of society, including:

Agro-technical Innovations: Advanced irrigation systems and crop management techniques. Legal and Administrative Systems: Structured governance and the codification of laws. Economic Prosperity: Trade networks and wealth accumulation.

Conclusion

The first civilization of mankind, as identified by anthropologists, is undoubtedly Sumer. Its urbanization, complex social structure, advanced agricultural techniques, and the establishment of writing and legal systems all align with the broader anthropological definition of a civilization. The characteristics that define a civilization are multifaceted and interconnected, reflecting a more holistic understanding of human societal development.