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Definition of
“Civilization”
The term “civilization” comes from the Latin word
civitas , meaning “city”. It originally referred to societies made up of cities
Evolving Concept of
Civilization
By the late 1700s, scholars began applying specific criteria to
define civilizations, such as urban living, division of labor, and
advanced agriculture, science, and art
Examples of Ancient
Civilizations
Civilizations like the Shang Dynasty in China, the Aksum
Empire in Ethiopia, and the Abbasid Caliphate in the Middle
East flourished with advances in writing, technology, art, and
military strength.
shang dynasty achievements
Western Bias in
Defining Civilization
For much of history, the term "civilization" was used by
European scholars to label non-European societies as
"uncivilized," often influenced by racial and religious predjustuce
Edward Gibbon and Western Views
British historian Edward Gibbon shaped ideas of civilization
with his work on Ancient Rome, which was admired by
Western societies and used as a model for their own
cultural development
Colonization and “Uncivilized” Societies
Colonizers often labeled cultures they encountered, such as in India, as "uncivilized," justifying exploitation and violence through these racialized categories.
The Inca Empire’s Recognition
Despite lacking certain technologies like writing, the Inca
Empire’s strong government and advanced architecture were
only recognized as a "civilization" after exploration by figures
like Hiram Bingham in the early 1900's
Challenges to Historical Assumptions
Scholars today, including Dr. Paulette Steeves, challenge the idea that Indigenous Americans were "primitive." New research suggests that human settlement in the Americas dates back much earlier than previously believed
New Discoveries in the Americas
In 2018, laser imaging revealed a hidden system of Maya
cities in the Guatemalan jungle, showing that earlier
population estimates were far too low
Rethinking Civilization
Today, many scholars reject the simple divide between "civilized" and "uncivilized," recognizing the complexity and diversity of human societies and the need for a more nuanced understanding of history
What is Cultural Perspective
Cultural perspective refers to how
individuals are shaped by their
environments, social influences, and
cultural factors like nationality, race,
and gender.