Anthropological Characteristics of Advanced Civilizations
Civilization is the advanced stage of a human society that has established systems in the five
major categories of human activities: political, economic, scientific, social, and cultural.
Advanced Civilizations have most of the following characteristics:
POLITICAL SYSTEMS
SOCIAL SYSTEMS
Organized governments
Cities
Laws, rules, & regulations
Policies
Judicial/court systems
International relations (foreign policy
Treaties
Political factions (political parties)
“isms” example: communism, socialism, etc.
Family units
Clans
Established social classes
ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
CULTURAL SYSTEMS
System of numbers and measurements
Specialization of labor
Trade
Monetary system
Wage system
Taxation
Agriculture
Manufacturing
A defined ethical system/religion:
Animism, Polytheism, or monotheism
Public morals
Fine Arts: painting, sculpture
Performing Arts: Theater, music
Literature
Distinctive Architecture (i.e. monuments)
Educational processes
Rituals
Traditions
History—oral or written
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Communication systems
Transportation systems
Tools
Inventions
Medicine
Military weapons