the zapotec kingdom of monte alban. for many scholars the differences between new and old-world civilizations suggested an independent course of history -- that each evolved on its own. this led to another and deeper insight -- beneath these differences may lie a grand and universal similarity, a parallel course of human evolution throughout the world. we now know that all humans once lived nomadic lives. we gathered wild plants and followed the migrations of animals. our lives were lived in small bands. everything was shared. no one had more power or wealth then anyone else. 10,000 years ago, people began to farm and live in permanent settlements. soon, villages, towns and cities evolved and life changed. thousands lived within city walls. we specialized in a single task, and depended on others for everything else we needed. in time, we became divided into rich and poor, as our human relationships became ever more complex. archaeologist william sanders. i think all human societies are the product of a process of cultur