Neolithic Revolution: Complex Settlement Societies (Coursework Sample)

Complex Settleme8/7nt Societies
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Complex Settlement Societies
During the Neolithic Revolution, there were many developments in agriculture and animal domestication. The interactions during this period led to the rise of complex settlement societies, where farmers and domesticators resided. Two examples such complex societies is the Sumerian City-States in Mesopotamia and the Maya Mesoamerica (Sanderson & Alderson, 2005). The Sumerian City States were founded from the settlements of the two plains of Tigris and Euphrates in the southern part of Mesopotamia. The influx of farmers within the two plains led to the rise of Sumerian city-states that were also spiritual centers.
On the other hand, Maya arose between the region of southern Mexico and Central America. The pattern of agriculture in Maya started with growing seeds from the fruit-trees they collected such as cocoa and ornamental plants. Later they learned to clear bushes, till the lands and plant seeds. In the central valley of Mesoamerica, irrigation was developed and their primary plant was the cocoa plant. The Mayas carried out irrigation by building terraces in lowlands, then channeling water to farms where they grew maize, beans, and guards. Later on the domesticated Dogs, turkey Muscovy ducks and honey bees among others.
In the Sumerian City states, agriculture developed rapidly from fruit seeds to the large-scale intensive cultivation of the lands. Their agricultural practices were characterized by mono-cropping, irrigation and use of special labor. They grew barley, chicken peas, wheat, onions, garlic, mustard, and lettuce. The surplus harvest attracted more population that provided extensive and division of labor. They also domesticated cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. During this period, they invented better ways of irrigating their lands. The use of Shadufs, channels, dykes canals and reservoirs were common place during irrigation when triver Tigris flow was minimal and couldn’t naturally flood their fields. (Sanderson & Alderson,2005).
In Sumerian society the social structure at the top most level were the priests, warriors and government officials who exercised control over the farmlands and agricultural produce. The second level there was the middle class and was composed of the merchants, traders, and artisans who were involved in agricultural practices and trade. They were largely the land owners who leased land as well (Kramer, 2013). In the lower class were the slaves who provided labor to the farms. Sumeria was relatively a peaceful society but highly patriarchal. The children were taught priesthood and agricultural education. The people of Sumeria elected their monarchs, whose major roles were to act as middlemen between the people and the gods. Additionally the monarchs collected taxes to maintain their armies.
The Mayan people were ruled by a king who was assisted by the priests and the noble men. Religion was very fundamental amongst the Mayans. The main responsibility of the leaders of the Maya people was to maintain communication and relationship with the gods. The Mayan political structure comprised of city-states with no uniform authority. They had a constitution that was used to govern these city-states. The kings ruling these city-states would be involved in wars amongst themselves. Unlike the Sumerians, Mayans believed that the kings were chosen by the gods. Alongside the king were priests, lords and military leaders who assisted the king to rule.
The leadership in Maya was the symbol of unity. Because they were deeply religious, these kings, priests and military leaders imposed taxes on the people. These taxes were then used to maintain their armies just like the Sumerians. Their justice system imposed heavy penalties including death for crimes. The priests were the judges too.
In the social structure just below the leaders were the merchants and craftsmen. While the merchants were professional traders, the craftsmen created many works of art that included war murals, weaving baskets, sewing clothes, carving religious sculptures, paper making and gift paintings to be offered to the gods (Scholl, 2010). At the lower level were the peasants who worked in agricultural fields. These peasants employed slaves.
The slaves were in the lowest level and besides working in the fields, they also worked as house servants in the wealthy households. Lowest in the social structure were the slaves, who did various duties ranging from farming to servants of the wealthy. During religious events, the slaves would be scarified and offered to appease the gods. The Mayans were the first to develop calendars and deeply understand astronomy. With deep knowledge they created efficient tools both in building their cities and even in agriculture.
While the two communities engaged in wars, The Sumerian wars were about extending their farmlands and capturing slaves to work in the farmlands. The Mayans were involved in inter-city wars that were about political supremacy. These two communities were also involved in trade characterized by barter. Through trade, they were able to spread their culture to their neighbors.
Brent Nongbri
Brent Nongbri asserts that the term religion hardly exists in the ancient texts. Even in his native Kahsi language, there is word doesn’t exist. Furthermore, in the mid fifteenth centuries did the distinctions between religious and secularism clearly emerge. Previously, there were just Christians, bad Christians or non Christians. He claimed that religion in the modern society is the personal faith of a person and it is ...