In most cases, this group also forms the full time political leadership. In order for people to specialize in something other than agriculture, the people engaged in agriculture must produce more than they need to survive. This surplus can then be used by those mot working on the farm. This, in turn, dramatically increases crop yields making specialization possible. There is some controversy among experts in the field as to which group took the lead in developing irrigation.
Irrigation obviously requires some kind of organization or coordination.
Early city-states were often with one another. Institutions such as diplomacy and treaties developed as part of efforts to maintain the peace. WebChron Text copyright 1998 by David W. Koeller. All rights reserved.