Exam 9: The First Cities and States 

Robert Carneiro (1970) put forth an influential theory that incorporates three factors working together instead of a single cause for state formation. These three factors are

Warfare and attracting followers are two key elements in state formation.

Coastal Peru illustrates the explanatory power of Carneiro's theory of state formation caused by the interaction of environmental circumscription, warfare, and population increase.

Which of the following was the first Chinese state that developed in the wheat-producing regions of the north?

What were the precursors to primary states?

Early states lacked social classes.

Writing never developed among the early states in Mesoamerica, so there is no reliable archaeological evidence of these states' histories.

Cuneiform is the term for the early writing in what part of the world?

Pseudoscientists often underestimate the capacity for human inventiveness in the ancient peoples they write about, assuming that creating major features were beyond their capabilities.

Increased warfare among competing dynasties was the major factor in the fall of the Maya state.

Jericho, the earliest known town, is located in central Turkey.

A key feature of Carneiro's model for the origin of states is metallurgy.

The first writing presumably developed to handle recordkeeping for a centralized economy. Where did this first happen?

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the first Chinese state?

In an egalitarian society, everybody has the same status.

Which of the following does NOT describe a characteristic of states?

What prestige item was crafted by inhabitants of the Valley of Oaxaca and traded with other Mesoamerican chiefdoms?

Which of the following statements about the Olmec is FALSE?

Early states had productive agricultural economies.

Which of the following statements about Çatalhöyük is FALSE?