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Spanning from 2.5 million years ago up until 10,000 BCE, the Paleolithic Era was a period of humanity characterized by hunting and gathering. During this time, people used simple stone tools and were nomadic. The discovery of fire was made during this era. Paleolithic people lived in Eurasia, Southeast Asia, and Australia. -
The Neolithic Era followed the Paleolithic Era, but lasted a much shorter time. This era was characterized by systematic agriculture and permanent farming villages. Life was located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
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The Sumerian Civilization lasted from 4500 BCE to 1900 BCE. They were one of the first groups to occupy Mesopotamia. Sumerians invented Cuneiform writing and they developed the first city-states, such as Eridu, Ur, and Uruk.
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Mesopotamia is known as the "Cradle of Civilization". Mesopotamia was located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, in modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey. Mesopotamia was occupied by many early civilizations, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.
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Invented in an ancient city-state by Sumerians, Cuneiform is the earliest writing system known to man. People would use a reed stylus to make wedge-shaped indentations into clay. They used an alphabet but there could also be pictographs. -
Dating back to as early as 3000 BCE, the first ever indoor plumbing systems were created in the Indus Valley Civilization, specifically Mohenjo Daro. There were pipes that caused waste to flow downwards into drain ditches and ran all throughout the city so plumbing was everywhere. They also had bathhouses to keep themselves clean, another significant innovation as no other civilization had been this advanced. -
The Old Kingdom was a period in Egyptian history lasting 500 years. It was characterized by having Pharaohs and rulers who would claim Divine Power. As well, the Pyramids were also built during this time period.
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The Great Pyramid was created by King Khufu. As well, the Egyptians built the Sphinx to protect the pyramids. Pyramids were originally created to serve as tombs for Pharaohs. They were constructed during the Old Kingdom period. -
Although this civilization only lasted 180 years, the Akkadians had a large empire located in Mesopotamia. The Akkadian Empire was the first true empire according to modern standards/understanding. Akkadians were known for building road systems.
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Babylon was an ancient city in Mesopotamia located on the lower Euphrates River. The people of Babylon are best known for the creation of the Code of Hammurabi. As well, the King of Babylon, Hammurabi, created the Code of Hammurabi to "cause justice to prevail".
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Judaism was one of the first monotheistic religions to have been developed. It was developed in the fertile crescent (modern-day Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon). Those who follow Judaism believe in one God and the Ten Commandments. -
Written by the Sixth king of Babylon, the Code of Hammurabi is the longest, best preserved, and best-organized legal text from ancient history. Including 282 laws, this text helps solve problems and keep society in order. These laws included various topics such as economics, family law, criminal law, and civil law. -
The Shang Dynasty included the first major rulers of China. The people of China lived in a farming society that was ruled by an aristocracy. They worshipped ancestors and were known for using bronze tools and weapons.
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While the founder of this religion is unknown, Hinduism was founded in 1500 BCE in India. It spread to mainly India, Nepal, Malaysia, Guyana, Suriname, and Sri Lanka, with over 1 billion followers worldwide today. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion whose basic beliefs include reincarnation, karma, and the Caste System. -
The Zhou Dynasty is most greatly known for the declaration of the Mandate of Heaven. As well, some major innovations were creating projects to control flooding and irrigation, and the iron plow to increase crop yield. The Zhou Dynasty also included the development of Confucianism and a civil war that lasted 180 years.
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Around 500 BCE, Confucius founded the philosophy of Confucianism, the Way of Virtue. Confucianism emphasizes social harmony and moral cultivation. It remains the social code for China today and has also spread to surrounding countries such as Korea and Japan. -
Founded some time between 500 BCE - 400 BCE, Daoism is the Chinese philosophy that is considered The Way of Nature. Daoism promoted simplicity, balance, and acting in harmony with the natural world and not forcing anything. Daoism is still practiced in China and also parts of Taiwan. -
Unlike Daoism and Confucianism, Legalism is the Way of the Law. Rather than emphasizing morality and ethics, Legalism emphasizes efficiency and state control. Legalism views human nature as humans being inherently selfish. -
Though very short lived, the Qin Dynasty was very influential. Under the rule of emperor Qin Shihuangdi, the Qin Dynasty unified China with a single monetary system, a roads system, and the adoption of Legalism. Emperor Shihuangdi also built the Great Canal and extended control to the Red River.
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In 220 BCE, the construction of the Great Wall of China started. The Great Wall of China was built to protect the Chinese from people to the north. The wall was ordered to be built by emperor Qin Shihuangdi. -