Sumer, Nubia, Norte Chico, Indus Valley, early Chinese civilization, Oxus and Olmec

     The first known civilizations occurred at around the same time in seven different parts of the world which is very fascinating to think about because the people were different and their societies were different, yet they managed to create a new lifestyle right around the same time as several other groups. It's still not really clear how they began but what seems to be the main factor is the Agricultural Revolution because they needed a surplus in food to be able to successfully support a large group of people living and growing together.
    One common factor that the majority of the civilizations shared is that they created temples, residential compounds, as well as other forms of extensive architecture and tombs for their leaders which shows another connection between the groups. Some of them created the first forms of language or writing whereas others did not. Their economies were also focused on different things based on where they were located land whether it be closer to the coast or one that had soil fit for large amounts of agriculture. Norte Chico for example had an extremely rich fishing industry whereas Egyptian and Mesopotamian societies were based on grain farming. Ritual sacrifice was another commonality that occurred with the growth of civilization because the leaders were associated with sacredness.
    A sad factor of civilization was that it brought the issue of inequality with its specialization of skills. Classes were distinguished by the type of clothing they wore, the houses they lived in, and the jobs that they had. Slavery also emerged with civilization growth. The gender systems became patriarchal.
  Leadership and the state became the rulers of the first civilization and they created and enforced the laws as well as keeping the peace. They were ordained by the gods. Writing was also seen as a gift from the gods which is understandable because it made things easier.
   Civilizations were progress because they brought better nutrition and better lives to people and allowed for the creation of new technology and specialization but they also created gender inequality, class structure and a wide variety of problems for its populations.