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Cultural Cultural UniversalsUniversals

Ancient Ancient CivilizationsCivilizations

What is culture?What is culture?

the characteristic features of everyday existence shared by people

the set of shared attitudes, values,

goals, and practices that characterizes a group of people

things all people and civilizations need things all people and civilizations need in order to survive.in order to survive.

Cultural UniversalsCultural Universals To unite all people in a common To unite all people in a common

bond of humanity.bond of humanity.

We will study various ancient We will study various ancient civilizations and identify trends civilizations and identify trends through history.through history.

What do ALL What do ALL Civilizations have?Civilizations have?

FoodFood GovernmentGovernment ReligionReligion TechnologyTechnology EconomyEconomy

Shelter and Shelter and ClothingClothing

CommunicationCommunication FamilyFamily The ArtsThe Arts Recreation and Recreation and

GamesGames

FoodFood

What can be grown, hunted, raised, and What can be grown, hunted, raised, and traded?traded?

Food Storage (i.e. rice and corn)Food Storage (i.e. rice and corn)

How did they prepare the food and eat?How did they prepare the food and eat?• Utensils, handsUtensils, hands• Serving (how and by whom)Serving (how and by whom)

Meals for special occasions/days of the weekMeals for special occasions/days of the week

GovernmentGovernment System of laws, rightsSystem of laws, rights

• What are they?What are they?• How were they made?How were they made?

Providing military for defenseProviding military for defense

Interacting with other civilizationsInteracting with other civilizations• Trade agreements, allies, warTrade agreements, allies, war

TaxationTaxation

ReligionReligion Strongly influences daily life and Strongly influences daily life and

beliefsbeliefs

One god or multiple gods?One god or multiple gods?

Power(s) of the god(s)Power(s) of the god(s)

Celebrations and practicesCelebrations and practices

Religious leaders (roles, duties, Religious leaders (roles, duties, how selected)how selected)

TechnologyTechnology Makes life easierMakes life easier

Types: farming, weaponry, building, Types: farming, weaponry, building, tools, medical, transportationtools, medical, transportation

What materials are available?What materials are available?

EconomyEconomy A common system of moneyA common system of money

Jobs Jobs

Taxation to support governmentTaxation to support government

TRADE, TRADE, TRADETRADE, TRADE, TRADE• Goods and ServicesGoods and Services• Ideas (customs, language, religion)Ideas (customs, language, religion)

Shelter and ClothingShelter and Clothing Style and construction of Style and construction of

homes, buildings and homes, buildings and clothingclothing

What materials were used?What materials were used?

Specialty buildings (temples, Specialty buildings (temples, markets, palaces)markets, palaces)

Specialty clothing (VIPSpecialty clothing (VIP’’s and s and special occasions)special occasions)

CommunicationCommunication How to communicate over distances?How to communicate over distances?

Writing system and materials? (pen, Writing system and materials? (pen, paper)paper)

How did they learn to read and write?How did they learn to read and write?

What was written?What was written?• Laws, religious texts,Laws, religious texts,

stories, events/newsstories, events/news

FamilyFamily The rights, roles, duties, and The rights, roles, duties, and

privileges of men, women, boys, and privileges of men, women, boys, and girls.girls.• Household dutiesHousehold duties• JobsJobs• Community rolesCommunity roles• Caring for childrenCaring for children• EducationEducation• RightsRights• MarriageMarriage

The ArtsThe Arts Dancing, singing, music,Dancing, singing, music,

painting, sculpture, dramapainting, sculpture, drama

Things to find out:Things to find out:• How was it created?How was it created?• Who made it?Who made it?• Why did they do it? Special occasions?Why did they do it? Special occasions?• Who taught them?Who taught them?

Recreation and GamesRecreation and Games

What was their What was their entertainment?entertainment?

Why were the games Why were the games played? Special played? Special occasions?occasions?

How were they played?How were they played?

Who got to play? Who got to play? Observe?Observe?