River valley civilizations, such as those in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China, built on Neolithic technology in several ways:
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Irrigation Systems: Neolithic communities had developed basic forms of irrigation. River valley civilizations expanded on this by creating sophisticated irrigation systems, including canals and levees, to control water flow for agriculture, which allowed for more extensive and reliable crop production.
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Agriculture: The domestication of plants and animals was a key feature of Neolithic societies. River valley civilizations improved agricultural techniques, using plows (which were innovations from earlier hoe-based techniques) to cultivate larger fields, leading to surplus food production.
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Permanent Settlements: Neolithic people transitioned from nomadic lifestyles to permanent settlements. River valley civilizations built large, complex urban centers based on these settled agricultural practices, advancing architecture and urban planning.
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Specialization of Labor: As agriculture became more productive, it allowed for the specialization of labor. River valley civilizations built upon this by developing different trades and skilled professions (such as metallurgy, pottery, and weaving), which contributed to their economic complexity.
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Trade and Economy: The Neolithic period saw the beginnings of trade networks. River valley civilizations expanded these networks, establishing trade routes and exchanging goods, ideas, and technologies over vast distances, which fostered economic growth and cultural exchange.
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Writing Systems: The need to manage agricultural production, trade, and governance led to the development of writing systems in river valley civilizations, building upon the rudimentary record-keeping seen in Neolithic societies.
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Religion and Governance: River valley civilizations organized religious and political structures to manage their increasingly complex societies, moving beyond the more egalitarian structures of Neolithic communities. This included the establishment of temples and centralized governments.
These advancements built upon the foundational technologies and social structures established during the Neolithic period, leading to the complexity of civilization we see in historic river valley cultures.