Meso-American civilization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Meso-American civilization - Essay Example when the Sumerians arrived in this region. Chinese civilization is among the oldest, dating back to before 3000 B.C. Early Indian civilization was highly developed as evidenced through the civilizations of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa that develop din the region of the valley of the river Indus and its tributaries. Egyptian civilization was one of the earliest to develop the system of writing through hieroglyphics (www. projectshum.org). Mesopotamian writing in the form of hieroglyphs also ranks among the earliest known in the world, with some Sumerian writing even older than the Egyptian. Writing among the Meso American civilizations developed later, also in the form of hieroglyphs with some phonetic elements, which were written in numerous columns or stelae. The ancient Indian scripts were in the form of the Indus script which has not yet been deciphered. The art of the Meso American period comprised massive stone sculptures more than two metres in height, of square jawed flat lipped warriors. This was similar to Mesopotamian art, which was also characterized by sculptures of gods in human forms, assuming a highly decorative aspect. Humans were also combined with animals to produce fantastic sculptures.(www.huntfor.com). The best known art work of the Chinese period is that which developed during the Ming dynasty, comprising vases and other decorative objects. One of the best known art works of the Egyptian period are the great pyramids of Giza and monumental statutes of the Pharoah. The first American monuments as constructed during the Meso American period are also pyramids which have religious significance and where pilgrims climb to the top, unlike the smooth sided pyramids of Egypt. Early Indian civilizations demonstrated well planned cities built of brick with wide streets, public and private bathing platforms and reservoirs.