Civilizations had political structures like governments to organize growing villages and cities, traditional economies based on farming and trade, and polytheistic religious beliefs in multiple gods. Societies were organized with gender roles and specialized jobs, and civilizations developed systems of writing or drawings to communicate and expressed their culture through unique arts and architecture. Studying civilizations' geography, history, and archaeology helps us learn how environments shaped lives, understand past events and ways of living, and examine artifacts to learn about tools, weapons, pottery, and more.