Innovations of the Ancient Times The four river-valley civilizations were located on rivers, around 6000-4000 B.C.E.

All four had very similar climates. The climates were dry and warm with seasonal flooding. The rivers played a key role in the development of the Indus River civilization, Nile River civilization, ancient Egypt or the Tigris & Euphrates civilization and ancient China, also known as the Yellow River civilization. Each of the four early river-based civilizations developed the following on its own: technologies for growing and storing food and for channeling water, a system of laws to keep peace and preserve property, socioeconomic classes, theistic cosmology, writing, astronomical calendars, and other trappings of "civilization." One of the most important innovations that the ancient civilization has created is the use of boats. The proximity of the civilizations to the river allowed boats to become a viable source of transportation for people and commodities in which the emergence of trade is rooted. Aside from trade, the invention of the boat helped the people gather information and take them from one place to another due to the limited amount of resources they have. The rivers became the basis of the wealth of the region. Since there is an immense distance among nations, it would take months or even a year to deliver a message to someone. Through the use of boats, people from all nations can meet up in a common area to convey and exchange information. The river-valley civilizations economy appears to have depended significantly on trade. Since every river-valley civilization had their own products, they used

barter trade as a means to gather other materials coming from other nations. They have used this to provide food and money for themselves by trading crops such as wheat, rice, cotton, barley, and such. Through the invention of boats, any nation can trade commodities in exchange for another. Trade along the rivers led to cultural diffusion, or the spread of ideas and inventions among people. These ideas from people led to the cultural expansion and communication of the river-valley civilization. ancient civilization. The exchange of ideas gave birth to art among the They developed a They were the first people known to study the heavens, use

metal-workings, create laws and compile written records. kings, and jewelry.

number system by using their fingers. Many of their art were base on their gods, The thinking of having to produce and making the most extravagant equipments was because of the communication among them. All these led to the advancement of their technologies. The simple innovations during the ancient times were a great contribution to the people. In time, these inventions were developed into something better. Until now, people are still trying to develop the ancient innovations that will be able to make our lives much easier in the future.