Week 7 - Complexity & Collapse

Question 1

Civilization (define + 5 usual characteristics)

Answer 1

Urbanized, state-level society
-complex social organization
-centralized economy w tribute or taxes
-formal record keeping
-large-scale architecture
-state religion w/ ruler playing a key role

Question 2

Civilization vs Complex Society

Answer 2

-Civilization historically describes “advanced social development,” implying that such societies are better developed than others that aren’t as complex.

Question 3

Lewis Henry Morgan

Answer 3

flawed “social evolution model” describing that societies become more civil as they progress. Very eurocentric

Question 4

Civilization and leisure time

Answer 4

Civilization is often considered to lead to more leisure, but in reality the majority of the population is given a lot of work.

Question 5

“Complex Societies”

Answer 5

-Urban settlement
-Specialization of roles
-hierarchical societal structure
-Centralized authorities (states, chiefs, kings)

Question 6

What led to the emergence of settlements?

Answer 6

Agricultural revolution led to social differentiation/hierarchies

Question 7

Centralized Authority of Complex Societies

Answer 7

-Economic power (trade)
-Social power (ideology)
-Political power (law)

Question 8

Catalhoyuk, Turkey (7100-5700 BCE)

Answer 8

-Large population and agriculture, long distance trade
HOWEVER
-No writing, no rulers, no large “monumental” architecture

Question 9

Methods of Studying Past Societies

Answer 9

-Settlement surveys (understanding urban layout)
-Material Culture (analyzing artifacts)
-Bioarchaeology (human remains to assess diet, social structure)

Question 10

Mayan Complexity -> Collapse

Answer 10

Population decline from 750-950 CE caused primarily by drought, leading to crop product diminishing.

Question 11

Maya today

Answer 11

Indigenous Mayans are still around today! “Collapse” doesn’t mean all gone.

Question 12

How did archaeology help understand Mayan society and societal progression??

Answer 12

-Led us to rethink the idea of “progress” and to understand that there are many different equally valid human social organizations.
-Learrned about settlement patterns, material culture, and societal patterns

Question 13

Chiefdom vs Kingdom vs State

Answer 13

Chiefdom: Led by a chief, often supported by rituals and redistribution of goods
Kingdom: Large political unit with centralized power
State: Highly organized political structure with governmental institutions

Question 14

Komkom vase inscription

Answer 14

Records episodes of warfare and political upheaval among Maya city-states