In the video, the tour guide said that civilization is the effort to provide a shield for human beings against the hazards of the natural world. However, people are often familiar with the definition that involves the development of a group whereby they have made intellectual achievements, technological advancements, interconnected living communities, and division of labor. The two descriptions sound different, but the basis is contrary to expectations – similar.
The focus of civilizations was always development, which was triggered by various things, the terms for which was provided by the tour guide –hazards of the natural world. It may include any hardship in the life of a human being, especially primal ancestors of homo sapiens who continuously suffered from bad weather and threats in the face of predators and disease. This fact makes a distinct resemblance of our common understanding to the definition introduced in the video.
Nevertheless, it lacks the area, which also refers to the level of civilization – culture. Culture can be traced through art and literature in their broader definitions. Art in this sense includes sculptures, jewelry making, clothing production, paintings, and every other product with artistic value. Literature refers to oral and written traditions, local folklore, scriptures, and documents. These cultural indexes refer to the level of civilization because they require attendance for human communities’ basic needs and safety. The safer a community is, the more significant is the deviation in pursuit of artistic values and knowledge is possible.
In summary, technically, the two definitions are the same, but the one given in the video accounts for the smaller portion of what civilization is. Civilization requires the development and accumulation of artistic value and knowledge combined with the need for shelter and means of protection in the form of technological advancements and the formation of communities.