River Valley Civilizations

Definition

The term 'river valley civilizations' refers to early human societies that emerged near major rivers like the Tigris-Euphrates in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) or the Nile in Egypt. These civilizations laid the foundation for complex urban societies by developing agriculture, trade networks, and written languages.

Related terms

Mesopotamia: Mesopotamia was one of the earliest river valley civilizations located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. They invented cuneiform writing and built city-states such as Ur and Babylon.

Nile River: The Nile River played a crucial role in sustaining ancient Egyptian civilization. Its annual flooding created fertile soil for agriculture while also providing transportation routes for trade.

Harappa & Mohenjo-daro: Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were two prominent cities in the Indus Valley Civilization (located in modern Pakistan) known for their advanced urban planning featuring grid-like streets and sophisticated drainage systems.