Today, groups of people live and work together in communities throughout the world.  But if we could travel far back in time we would see a very different way of life.  Many thousands of years ago, people moved from place to place to find food.  They stayed in small family groups, finding or building simple shelters so they could move easily.  There were no cities, towns, or even villages.  During this time, there were no civilizations. 

A civilization is a group of people living in an area who have improved their way of life over time.  The people who make up a civilization are members of a society (so-sy-it-ee).  When people learn and work together as a society, a civilization grows.

As a civilization develops over time, it becomes more advanced, and provides a better life for its people.  There are many things we need, in order to have a civilization.  First, a civilization must have communities, towns or cities.

Working together is also important in a civilization.  People in our society have special jobs in which they produce certain goods or provide services.  Different jobs are needed to make a society work, and to meet the needs of a civilization.  Some people make clothes or build houses, while others grow or prepare food.  When everybody works together, people can do more, and live better lives.

A civilization also needs written language.  If people can read and write, then they are able to learn more about themselves and their society.  If people write down and share what they have learned, then they can pass that knowledge on to others.  Knowledge is very important for a civilization to develop.

A civilization must also have a government to make laws, and lead the people.  For a society to survive, the people must follow rules.  It is the job of the leaders to decide these rules, and to make sure they are followed.  A government’s job is to protect its people, and allow a society to grow and develop.

Civilizations around the world have changed throughout time.  Many have had very different societies.  As civilizations grow, and become more advanced they develop their own special way of life.