SOCB44H3 Lecture : Lecture2_Sept17.docx
Document Summary
Lecture 2 sept17: origins and developments of cities: early cities. Gordon childe: 1940 he (archeologist) identified list of characteristics that are essential to what can be described as a city, larger and more densely populated permanent settlements (from 500 on) Slash and burn: people used up all the minerals and resources and burn the place then move on: social classes of nonagricultural specialists including craftsmen, transport workers, merchants, officials and priests. Outside cities, you needed to be a well-rounded person. E. g. farmers need to know how to farm, how to cure animals, and fix machines. In cities, you would have more specialized workers: system of taxation and capital accumulation. Urban settings is where you get a system in which tax are collected and money is used (hopefully) for the common good. Capital accumulation may be needed to fund big projects: monumental public buildings. Things like temples, palaces, cathedrals: a ruling class composed of priests, military leaders/officials.
