In this broad sense, a civilization contrasts with non-centralized tribal societies, including the cultures of nomadic pastoralists, Neolithic societies or hunter-gatherers however, sometimes it also contrasts with the cultures found within civilizations themselves. Historically, 'a civilization' has often been understood as a larger and 'more advanced' culture, in implied contrast to smaller, supposedly primitive cultures. Ĭivilizations are intimately associated with and often have characteristics such as centralization, the domestication of plant and animal species, specialization of labour, culturally-ingrained ideologies of progress and supremacism, monumental architecture, taxation, societal dependence upon farming and expansionism. Ī civilization (or civilisation) is a complex society that is characterized by urban development, social stratification, a form of government, and symbolic systems of communication (such as writing). Ancient Egypt provides a canonical example of an early culture considered a civilization.
