Ancient Civilizations - Humans Reviewed

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• JUNE 2026 / ISSUE 01ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS Crossword inside!
• Page 203 FEATURE ARTICLE
• Page 3EDITOR'S History has always been a point of NOTE particular interest to me. Growing up, I always heard from peers that history was so boring, that it was simply dates and facts being presented in the most mundane way possible. But I could never relate to those opinions. From learning about treaty agreements to world wars, I always enjoyed getting to step into a world different from ours. So, when the option to take Ancient Civilizations in Grade 11 was presented to me, I jumped at the chance. That course was the final step in solidifying my passion for history. Every class was interesting, every article we read and documentary we watched left me wanting more. For the first time in my educational career, I was willing to sit down and do homework without being asked. I spent hours on my projects, giving all my effort, not because I had to, but because I wanted to. Late nights reading about civilizations and their economic systems, days spent brainstorming how to creatively present my findings, all for the simple joy of learning. This passion has stayed with me even after finishing the course. So, naturally, when choosing the topic for the first issue of Humans Reviewed, Ancient Civilizations was my first choice. History is so much more than facts and dates, it's the total and complete view of humanity. By studying Ancient Civilizations we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, our communities, and each other.
• RELIGION AND ANICIENT SOCIETYAcross Across oceans and mountains, over hundreds of years, and through countless leaders and communities, religion has a constant thread over every single civilization. Looking at civilizations across the world, we see several overlapping features that play a vital role in helping a society thrive. A government system, a trading system, and the focus of this article, a religious belief system. Historians across the world have noticed that there isn't one civilization that hasn't had some form of religion. What's interesting, is that this overlap is presumably coincidental, that civilizations that never had any contact with one another ended up with similar belief systems. The reason for this is widely debated not only in the field of history, but also in sociology. What makes a religious system so important in the survival of a community?
• Page 5This them authority gave and control over their followers. Kevin Rounding, a researcher at Queen's University, also explains how religion increases self-control. His experiments confirmed his idea, showing that subjects who had been primed to think about religion had more self control than subjects who weren't primed. As an ancient society, having everyone working together was essential for survival. Food and resources were shared, people lived in close proximity, and populations were often small. Religion ensured that necessary work was getting done, it provided inspiration to the community, and allowed leaders to have a better sense of control over their subjects. Some researchers however, argue that religion is simply a part of being human. We, as a whole, create religion because it provides us with comfort. In ancient civilizations, having an explanation for a phenomenon in our daily lives means we don't have to worry about what's truly happening. From the flooding of the Nile River in Egypt, to lightning and the changing of seasons, religion provided people with a sense of understanding.
• GREEK MADNESSA Short Story ATHENS, 410 BCE. AT THE CLINIC OF DR. HIPPOCRATES.
• CIVILIZATION HIGHLIGHT: IncaThe Inca Civilization thrived in South America for several years. Their unique culture, traditions, and ways of life make this civilization truly special. The Incan Empire spanned from modern day Chile to Columbia, and included a variety of landscapes, from deserts to mountains to tropical forests. Because of this, the Incan people had to get creative with how they grew their food, and how they built their infrastructure. Not much is known about this civilization because of their lack of written language. Incan people used knotted cords, called Kipu, to record numerical data, such as censuses, inventories, and harvests. Some researchers believe that these cords were also a form of written language, and hold stories and legends. However, the Kipu language hasn't been deciphered, and some scientists believe it never will be. The Incan Empire and civilization is truly one of the greatest of its time, the adaptability of the people and their sense of community allowed them to thrive
• MEMORY, IMAGINATION, AND HISTORY3 Interview With Johannes B Mahr
• Page 9Q: "How would you say our memory plays a role in how we interact with others and in society" Mahr: "Well, in my opinion, human connection relies on empathy and understanding. Two things that are formed through your memories. Being able to recall your own experiences allows you to relate to another person's current situation. Having the ability to remember how you felt means you can imagine how that person is feeling. This provides an outlet to connect with people we may not even know that well. In terms of understanding, well what helps you get to know someone better than sharing old memories. You can look at grandparents and how they love to revisit memories through stories with their grandchildren. Specifically with episodic memory, being able to put yourself into those memories means you can retell them truthfully, which creates a pathway for people to see into who you are. Similarly, our past is what makes us who we are. Every experience and memory has led us to this moment."
• Page 10Q: "One of your other areas of study is imagination, how would you say this impacts the field of history?" Mahr: "One of the most important topics when it comes to imagination is mental time travel, something I recently did a research article on. In terms of history, being able to imagine a time before your own is vital. Having the mental capacity to put yourself in the shoes of someone from an ancient time is what has allowed us to solve complex problems about how ancient civilizations were run. These historians need to have active imaginations that are able to creatively come up with possible explanations for situations that may not even be replicable in our current age."
• VISIT THE ANCIENT CIVILIZATION OF POMPEIIBook your trip today at www.trips.ca Guided tours avaliable daily! See the ruins, experience the city.
• ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORYCross Word Across
• Page 136 10
• Page 14AUTHENTICALLY MADE! KOHL EYELINER
• Page 15A i DA tum g e Ar cha r
• Asterix & Obelix: The MiddleKingdom 15
• Page 17R Astérix Obelix trésors V
• LA In the next issueExplore the intricate world of Archaeology. From the most famous sites to the most complicated archaeological techniques, Reviewed covers it all Humans