This document provides an overview of early civilizations along major river systems, including: 1) The Indus River valley civilization known as the Harappans that developed extensive urban planning with cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro until declining around 1150 BCE. 2) Migrations of Indo-European peoples called Aryans into the Indus and Ganges river valleys after 1500 BCE and the development of Vedic religion, social hierarchies, and kingdoms. 3) The early civilization in China along the Yellow River that emerged from Neolithic cultures and the later Shang dynasty that established the first Chinese writing system and advanced bronze working. 4) The Zhou people gaining power over

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2. I. The Indus River Valley and the Birth of South Asian Civilization II. The Aryans III. A Bend in the River and the Beginnings of China IV. The Decline of the Shang and the Era of Zhou Dominance

3. River valley systems I. The Indus River Valley and the Birth of South Asian Civilization Harappan civilization, 3rd millennium B.C.E. Indus river system Valley plains, snow-fed rivers A. The Great Cities of the Indus Valley Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro Densely populated Walled Square grid pattern Construction: kiln-dried bricks Citadels Defensive retreats Civic centers Bathing tanks Granaries Sewage system Residences Courtyards India in the Age of Harappa and the Early Aryan Migrations

4. I. The Indus River Valley and the Birth of South Asian Civilization B. Harappan Culture and Society Agriculture Wheat, rye, peas, cotton, and possibly rice Domesticated animals Irrigation systems Trade with Mesopotamia, China, and Burma Priests Privileged Intermediaries Fertility central Female figures and phallic symbols common C. The Slow Demise of Harappan Civilization c. 1150 B.C.E. Causes unclear Floods at Mohenjo-Daro Fertile areas drier Migrants lead to deterioration of irrigation system

5. II. The Aryans Indo-Europeans Pastoralists From Black and Caspian areas 3rd, 2nd millennia B.C.E. Into Asia Minor, Europe, Iran Indus and Ganges river systems A. Aryan Warrior Culture Dominated by warriors Turn to agriculture in Ganges Villages Oral literature The Vedas Religious hymns Horses Chariots Indra, god of battle and lightning

6. II. The Aryans B. Aryan Society Originally: warriors, priests, and commoners Added serfs ( dasas ) from indigenous Indians Develops into caste system Four castes ( varnas ) Priests (brahmin) Warriors Merchants Peasants Plus non-Aryan conquered peoples Patriarchal, patrilinial, patrilocal Brides bring dowries

7. II. The Aryans C. Aryan Religion Polytheistic Male gods dominate D. Harappa’s Fall After 1500 B.C.E. , civilization > pastoralism, small settlements Tribal organization predominates Comparatively egalitarian Aryans later turn to agriculture Form small kingdoms New culture forms from synthesis

8. III. A Bend in the River and the Beginnings of China A. Beginnings Peking man Neolithic Ordos Bulge of Huanghe Migrants By 4000 B.C.E. , two cultural centers Yangshao culture (2500-2000 B.C.E. ) Longshan culture (2000-1500 B.C.E. ) Millet, larger villages Controlled river with dikes Rulers associated with flood control Mythical Yu, ruler of Xia China in the Shang and Zhou Eras

9. III. A Bend in the River and the Beginnings of China B. The Warrior Kings of the Shang Era Early legend Yu’s rule of Xia c. 1500 B.C.E. Small kingdoms near Ordos Bulge Culture develops Divination, using bones Silk worms, silk fabrics Ancestor worship Shang tribe Nomadic Kings Intermediaries China in the Shang and Zhou Eras

10. III. A Bend in the River and the Beginnings of China C. Shang Society Anyang, capital Farming Peasant cooperatives Millet, wheat, beans, rice Slaves Ruling class Walled towns Extended families Patrilocal Commoners Nuclear families

11. III. A Bend in the River and the Beginnings of China D. Shang Culture Religion Fertility central Human sacrifice Shamans Divination Bones, tortoise shells Writing From religious script Pictograms initially 3000 characters Paper used by 100 C.E.

12. IV. The Decline of the Shang and the Era of Zhou Dominance Zhou Turkic Initially vassals of Shang Take power by 1100 B.C.E. Feudal Oaths of allegiance Grants of fiefs for military service Wu Extended rule to east and south A. Changes in the Social Order Two developments weaken feudal order Idea of Mandate of Heaven begins with Wu Professional bureaucracy Shi China in the Shang and Zhou Eras

13. IV. The Decline of the Shang and the Era of Zhou Dominance B. New Patterns of Life Capitals, Xian and Loyang Garrison towns Peasants Military, labor requirements C. Migrations and the Expansion of the Chinese Core Movement along Huanghe Valley, then into Huai, Yangzi basins Non-Chinese displaced D. Cultural Change in the Early Zhou Period Patriarchy reinforced Correct behavior, ritual important Decline by 8th 771 B.C.E., assassination Xian abandoned Loyang the basis of smaller realm Fragmentation, disunity follows