The concept of “civilization” in Western archaeology

Key Points

• The concept of civilization first emerged in the mid-18th century, indicating higher social development.
• Different scholars have unique interpretations of civilization, with some equating it to culture, while others view it as the highest developmental stage of societies.
• Studies on civilization's status often track elements across time and space, assessing cultural development.
• As notions of cultural complexity grow, the original definition of civilization faces challenges and re-evaluation.

Abstract