River Valley Civilizations Essay

The period between 10,000 BC and 2000 BC was characterized by agricultural revolution. During this time many people started to move around river banks and began establishing settlements there. In these settlements the people domesticated animals and farmed agricultural products like vegetables, corns, peas, and beans. The agriculture practice was so intense and involved the application of special techniques (McMahon, 2018). For instance, they invented advanced farming tools, animal rearing methods, food storage facilities, and water catchment techniques. The presence of surplus food eventually caused the population within these areas also increased which influenced the aspect of civilization within these river valleys.

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Civilization is the condition where a group of people or the general society undergoes through a process in order to achieve a state of development which is higher than they had initially. The Mesopotamian civilization is a perfect example of the well-known processes to have ever happened in the world. It is along these river valleys where people started to settle down and the first civilization kicked off. The areas which are notably known as perfect examples of where civilization took place successfully include the following.

Ancient Egyptian Civilization: The ancient Egyptian practiced agriculture along the banks of the river Nile and their practice contributed to the agricultural revolution and then civilization was realized. The reason why they moved and settled around the Nile was that the area had fertile soils and water was available in plenty (Moret, 2013). River Nile has frequent annual flooding which ensures rich soil and reliable supply of water which helped in growing the crops. The hieroglyphics were some form of writing developed by Egyptians which enabled them to keep records of their produce and economic status in their farms. There was also an aspect of security along these areas which gave them peace to cultivate more and also store their food production. The region also was generally suitable for agricultural production due to the availability of economic resources and social organization.

Mesopotamian Civilization: The agricultural revolution wave was also witnessed along the two main rivers Euphrates and Tigris which was commonly referred to as the Fertile Crescent. The area was characterized by fertile soils due to the deposits of silt from the rivers flooding (Oppenheim, 2013). There was also the presence of seeds for plants and new animal breeds.

Ancient Chinese Civilization: In ancient China, there was also the wave of agricultural revolution which took place along the banks of the Yellow River. The presence of water and fertile soils along this area attracted a multitude of people to settle along the place hence starting farming and rearing animals. The settlers were also good in modifying unique agricultural tools which enabled cultivation of the farms.

Ancient Indian Civilization: The civilization which took place in ancient India was influenced by the agricultural revolution. This was encouraged due to the availability of water and fertile soils along the River Indus (Masson-Ousel, Stern & Willman-Grabowska, 2013). This is what encouraged many people to move to the river banks and start farming and domesticating animals like goats.

After the agricultural revolution took place, people started to develop new types of crops and animal breeds. The food production and animal rearing was excess which opened ways for the creation of markets and trade ensued. This also influenced urbanization and advancement of living standards of the people. There were many benefits associated with this civilization in these areas.

References

Masson-Ousel, P., Stern, P., & Willman-Grabowska, H. (2013). Ancient India and Indian Civilization. Routledge.

McMahon, D. M. (2018). From the Paleolithic to the present: Three revolutions in the global history of happiness. Handbook of well-being. Salt Lake City, UT: DEF Publishers. doi: nobascholar. com.

Moret, A. (2013). The Nile and Egyptian Civilization. Routledge.

Oppenheim, A. L. (2013). Ancient Mesopotamia: portrait of a dead civilization. University of Chicago Press.