Gordon Childe: The Definition Of Civilization

In the 1930s, a Australian archeologist, Gordon Childe coined the term ‘urban revolution” and identified a list of characteristics that defined a civilization. Childe also identified stages of human society until it had become a civilization, and in those stages Childe defines the Neolithic era as part of the barbarism stage. Gordon Childe had believed that the Bronze Age had brought an early phase of a civilized world, even though some villages and communities in the Neolithic era had shown many characteristics of a civilization. Though the term of civilization has changed several times and could be considered problematic to define. Civilization can be hard to define because what some may consider to be civilized in their culture may be misjudged or may even horrify another culture. What truly defines civilized behavior can be influenced directly by ones culture and customs, so in other words, what determines a civilization can also be determined by culture and customs. So could some Neolithic communities, such as Jericho, be considered early civilizations that also identify with the characteristics provided by Gordon Childe and other archeologist? …show more content…
Like in today’s communities, Neolithic farm villager’s social status can hugely depend on their job specialization and their rank in society. With the rise of agriculture in the Neolithic villages, they were able to begin to flourish and maintain a surplus of supplies. When the settlement began to finally be able to maintain stability it allowed for more jobs and opportunities to come fourth. New occupations that were brought forth included traders, merchants, metalworkers, artisans, religious leaders, political leaders, and animal domesticators. For the first time, villagers could work to provide service for others and work for something other than survival itself