resurrecting ancient civilizations

Of the ancient civilizations that were overpowered by another civilization, it can be argued that those remaining in a unique geographic area, with a unique ethnicity, language and social structure - such as the Eskimo civilization of 1100BC-1850BC - can once again become a separate and unique civilization by gaining independence and eschewing the values of the civilization that overpowered it.

If civilization is a stage in the evolution of society, then reverting to a former stage does not negate viability and may, in fact, protect that society from extinction.

India, for instance, was once part of the British Empire and in all practical purposes for the period of occupation it adopted the values of its western conqueror. With independence, it successfully regained its separate and unique status as a civilization - as if the British had never been there!

An interesting scenario for the future of mankind would be the resurgence not only of all of the ancient civilizations but all of the ancient cultures, too. That the American Indians and the Australian Aborigines are asserting the uniqueness of their race and culture is something to be applauded.

If western civilization can put heritage orders on structural, environmental and animal treasures - and spend millions to preserve them - then it is only good sense that distinctive peoples should be given the same rights.

defining civilizations

Civilization is a term denoting a stage in the evolution of society and it's a term so loaded with arrogant value judgments that it should not be taken too seriously. Who is to say that a complex industrial nation on the brink of nuclear war is more civilized than a simple
agricultural nation?

Today, we tend to judge a civilized society by the way it treats its disadvantaged peoples - and animals - and a civilized person by his or her manners, but none of these fine distinctions were taken into consideration when historians classified civilizations.

While evolution of civilization generally implies an improvement in the behavior, living conditions and social organization of populations, it does not necessarily follow that civilizations always evolve into more harmonious or prosperous communities. Under certain conditions,
civilizations can and do evolve into brutal regimes for controlling populations.

What exactly defines a separate and distinct civilization varies, but major features apart from a sizeable population might include:

• a unique geographic area;




• a unique ethnicity;




• a unique language;




• a unique system of government;




• a unique religion; and




• a unique culture (identified by buildings, education, etc).

There are, however, other classifications that define civilizations by
geographic area and literacy alone, meaning that if a nation does not have a
unique written history then it is not classed as a civilization.