1. Social Structures and Family Life
1.1. Sumeria
1.1.1. A very distinct social class was developed
1.1.2. Most Sumerians were of the lower, labor working class
1.1.3. Men usually held political power
1.1.4. Some females gained higher respect and worked as priestesses
1.2. Indus Vallery
1.2.1. Ruled by monarchy
1.2.2. Appointed ambassadors
1.2.3. Was a largely agricultural based society
1.2.4. Wealthy members of society enjoyed expensive items such as jewels and copper
2. Economy and Trade
2.1. Sumeria
2.1.1. Sumerians lacked many raw materials
2.1.2. Many Sumerian materials used for art and building were obtained through trade
2.1.3. Traded across Southwest Asia and beyond
2.1.4. As trade began to develop, so did a social hierarchy
2.2. Indus Valley
3. Religion
3.1. Sumeria
3.1.1. Practiced polytheism, or the belief of multiple gods
3.1.2. They believed that a god protected each city/state
3.1.3. Priests held a high status in Sumer and initially governed the city-states
3.1.4. Kings were the God's chief representative
3.2. Indus Valley
3.2.1. Jewels and bodies were found in the tombs of buried rulers, which probably meant the Shang believed in an after life
3.2.2. Shang religion was based off of ancestor worship
3.2.3. Shang usually went to they deceased ancestors for advice, using oracle bones to contact them
3.2.4. The Shang people gave their ancestors gifts to keep them happy and satisfied
4. Geography and Agriculture
4.1. Sumeria
4.1.1. Located by the Tigris and Euphrates
4.1.2. Hot and dry summers caused drought and loss of crops and river overflow could wipe out crops and maybe a village
4.1.2.1. Developed basins to hold water, canals to carry water to the crops and dikes to control flooding
4.1.3. Flat, swampy land
4.1.4. People grew grains such as wheat and barley
4.2. Indus Valley
4.2.1. Relatively cool and dry
4.2.2. Located by the Huang He river
4.2.3. Was provided protection from the geographical elements surrounding
4.2.4. Farmed rice, wheat and millet
5. Arts and Education
5.1. Sumeria
5.1.1. Used the writing form of Cuneiform
5.1.2. Basically invented the stamp
5.1.3. Their creativity was seen in their many archs, columns, and ramps
5.1.4. Carved images out of ivory
5.2. Indus Valley
5.2.1. First recorded history
5.2.2. Used bronze tools
5.2.3. Objects and valuables would be buried with the dead
5.2.4. The Shang are believed to have created institutions that carried of into later civilizations
6. Science and Technology
6.1. Sumeria
6.1.1. Invented the wheel
6.1.2. Developed geometry
6.1.3. Built sewer systems throughout the cites
6.1.4. Performed basic surgeries
6.2. Indus Valley
6.2.1. Used pictures to explain current events
6.2.2. Developed the hieroglyphics
6.2.3. Many of their writings have not been found
6.2.4. Used oracle bones to write
7. Government and Leaders
7.1. Sumeria
7.1.1. Changed leaders multiple times
7.1.2. Preist held high status
7.1.3. War chiefs became kings
7.1.4. Many cities had Dynasties
7.2. Indus Valley
7.2.1. Had many dynasties
7.2.2. Started out as the Shang dynasty
7.2.3. Had a strong monarchy
7.2.4. Fu Xi is believed to have started ancient china