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Originally posted by AlienCarnage
There most certainly are lost civilizations, just look at my signature to find one such civilization, not just a culture.
Originally posted by Harte
Ahem.
Well, if you know about it, then it's not "lost," is it?
Also, every time I see a list of the "requirements" that have to be met for a culture to be considered a "civilization," a written language is at the top of that list.
What did the written language used at Caral look like?
Harte
Inca
Holding their capital at the great puma-shaped city of Cuzco, the Inca civilization dominated the Andes region from 1438 to 1533. Known as Tawantin suyu, or "the land of the four regions," in Quechua, the Inca civilization was highly distinct and developed. Inca rule extended to nearly a hundred linguistic or ethnic communities, some 9 to 14 million people connected by a 25,000 kilometer road system. Cities were built with precise, unmatched stonework, constructed over many levels of mountain terrain. Terrace farming was a useful form of agriculture. There is evidence of excellent metalwork and even successful brain surgery in Inca civilization. The Incas had no written language, but used quipu, a system of knotted strings, to record information.
Originally posted by SLAYER69
Maybe that should be changed then? According to that logic one could have not only what appears to be "Civilization" but also an "Empire" and still not be considered a "Civilization" by certain criteria.
Originally posted by SLAYER69ETA: Also I think you're playing with semantics here. Caral Supe was "Lost" until it was found.
Originally posted by Harte
So, every "found" civilization is also a "lost" one?
Harte
1. to come upon by chance; meet with: He found a nickel in the street.
2. to locate, attain, or obtain by search or effort: to find an apartment; to find happiness.
3. to locate or recover (something lost or misplaced): I can't find my blue socks. source
Originally posted by etherical waterwave
Only lost cultures. Still all cultures have something in common. I find tribes making our modern civilisation lack in community. What is it that is nailing community?edit on 2011/3/1 by etherical waterwave because: (no reason given)
—n
1. a human society that has highly developed material and spiritual resources and a complex cultural, political, and legal organization; an advanced state in social development
2. the peoples or nations collectively who have achieved such a state
3. the total culture and way of life of a particular people, nation, region, or period: classical civilization
4. the process of bringing or achieving civilization
5. intellectual, cultural, and moral refinement
6. cities or populated areas, as contrasted with sparsely inhabited areas, deserts, etc
Originally posted by Versa
Originally posted by etherical waterwave
Only lost cultures. Still all cultures have something in common. I find tribes making our modern civilisation lack in community. What is it that is nailing community?edit on 2011/3/1 by etherical waterwave because: (no reason given)
Egypt can be called a civilization which was once lost to us, much of its culture is still in fact 'lost' to us. you cannot call the Ancient Egyptian Civilisation a tribe or a culture.
A solid working definition of civilization is difficult and depends upon your own judgment. Here are a few textbook definitions:
Civilization is a form of human culture in which many people live in urban centers, have mastered the art of smelting metals, and have developed a method of writing.
The first civilizations began in cities, which were larger, more populated, and more complex in their political, economic and social structure than Neolithic villages.
One definition of civilization requires that a civilized people have a sense of history -- meaning that the past counts in the present.