A civilisation is the word for a large group of people that have a shared culture, traditions, and customs. They generally want what is best for each other and their community, and normally share laws, language, and currency.

There have been many civilisations throughout the ancient world. You have probably heard of Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, and maybe even Persians and Babylonians. The Sumerian Civilisation is over 5,000 years old.

Civilisation occurs when humans can address their basic needs for food, water, and warmth, and they have time and energy spare. This time can be use to build structures that provide safety, learn more, be creative, social, and experimental, and improve their lives and the lives of people around them.

For a civilisation to be successful, it needs to address all of its needs, including:

• Access to Food and Water - This is often a factor of the location of a civilisation and could incorporate farming, fishing, and/or hunting.

• Safety and Security - Landscape and structures like buildings and walls provide safety from the weather and invaders, as well as storage for food and resources.

• Government and Community - People are organised into different roles and jobs including food production, defence, organisation, craft, and culture and the arts.

• Culture - the people are able to partake in culture, religion, sport, craft, learning, and art.

Many cultures also have a social structure and/or a monarchy, writing, and currency (but they don't have to).

Use the prompts below to decide what your civilisation will need and where it will live. You can decide where it will be located first, or decide what it needs then find a suitable location.

There is a printout you can use to keep track of your ideas to the right, or you can use your own method.