The Birth of Civilizations

Enduring Understandings

• Humans have evolved over time and the first humans migrated out of Africa.

• The first major world civilization arose between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, in what is today the Middle East.

• Physical geography influences cultural development.

• The spread of religion plays a key role in the development of civilizations.

Essential Questions

• How did the location of early civilizations impact the way they lived and the development of culture?

• How do societies make sense of the world around them?

• For each “civilization” ask: 1) Who are they? 2) Where are they from? 3) Where are they going?

• Why is Jerusalem a holy city to three major world religions?