The earliest civilizations developed a system of priests, but it took a long time for people to accomplish other abilities. Eventually humans construct writing, cities, and jobs that involved specialized work, such as farmers, blacksmiths, builders, and the first civilizations. The earliest of these civilizations date back only about 5,000 years.

DIRECTIONS: Complete a Web Diagram Use the web diagram below to help you organize the discoveries and developments of four early civilizations— Mesopotamia, Akkadians and Babylonians, Phoenicians, and Ancient Egyptians. Study the list of descriptive phrases below. Write the letter of each phrase in the appropriate circle. (Know them well –hint)

A. This civilization developed an alphabet that gave rise to the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin alphabets.

B. This civilization developed a system of writing called hieroglyphics.

C. This civilization was the first to use the plow.

D. This warlike city-state grew to become the first empire.

E. This civilization was the first to build an irrigation system to water more land.

F. Their greatest king, Hammurabi, wrote a set of laws.

G. These people embalmed their dead to pre serve the body for the next life.

H. This civilization contributed to the field of mathematics by developing a number system based on 60.

I. City-states of this civilization were ruled by a man who was both the religious leader and king.

J. These people were the most important traders, and used the sun and stars to navigate.

K. This civilization was located mainly in what is today Lebanon.

L. The pyramids are proof of this civilization’s engineering and building skills.