December 15, 2007

The evolution of civilisation

The study of history unfolds the mysteries of the universe. It tells us how the world has been continuously changing and passing through one stage to the other. It also points out how the change of climate transforms not only human life but also animals, birds and plants.

With the advancement in knowledge now we are in a position to trace the history of human evolution and the different phases of civilisation, its origin and growth. Based on our knowledge we could say that in the beginning the change of climate had radically altered the whole scenario on earth. For example, during the Ice Age, everything was frozen. But with the melting of the ice, there emerged plants, trees, thick forests inhabited by different species of animals and birds.

The new climate brought life and its activities. History also tells us how natural calamities brought suffering on human life. For example, when there was a flood in the rivers, it swept away everything. When an earthquake occurred, it destroyed what was built by man with effort and hard labour. We find that at this stage, compared to man, powers of nature were strong.

However, man was struggling for his survival. He did not accept defeat and continued to fight against nature. He decided to build his own world; he laid down the foundations of human civilisation which in spite of obstacles continued to grow. Thus the story of humankind’s struggle is fascinating and inspiring.

Archaeology and civilisation

Some of the old civilisations disappeared and their remains were buried beneath the earth. Some civilisations left their ruined settlements and buildings as a sign of their past glory. Not knowing their origin and history people speculated about those ancient people who had lived there and built the wonderful buildings.

With the increase in human knowledge and the development of a new discipline known as archaeology, experts started to excavate old sites of settlements and traced their history with the help of antiquities which they found buried there. It was a sensational experience: they were retrieving history which had been lost in the midst of a confusing past, and reconstructing the social and cultural life of the people who were forgotten long, long ago.

When archaeologists excavate the old ruins of any civilisation, they judge the size and expansion of it on the basis of findings such as pottery, weapons, jewellery and tools which are scattered in different places and localities. If there is a similarity among such antiquities, they regard it an extended civilisation which integrated all settlements into one cultural link.

The examples are of Mesopotamian and Harappan civilisations which were spread over a vast area, and experts found from their ruins similar things which show that they were part of one civilisation. Language, rituals, customs and cultural practices united the people into one system.

Experts also point out that transition from one period to the other was not always sudden and rapid. It took a long time and during this period old and new traditions continued side by side. For example, the transition from the New Stone Age to the Bronze Age was completed in 4000 BC when old human knowledge and new experiences were integrated with each other; its combination inaugurated a new era.

The first Bronze Age civilisation was of Mesopotamia which approximately began in 3500 BC. Among the other Bronze Age civilisations, the Egyptian began in 3100 BC, the Indus Valley in 2500 BC and the Chinese in 1500 BC.