Ancient History Timeline

Nomads Traveled into the Americas

10,000 BCE

Around 12,000- 10,000 years ago (during the ice age), the nomads traveled across the Bering Strait land bridge. Because they were nomads, they had to follow their food (woolly mammoths and woolly buffalo), and that's why they traveled across the land bridge. They had to cross varying climates and geography to get to Mesoamerica.

Indus Civilization starts

4000 BCE

Farming settlements began around 4000 BC in this area. Cities started forming around 3000 BC, and there were many civilizations formed around 2600 BC. The peak of the Indus River Valley area was between 2500 BC and 2000 BC. Some impressive inventions that they made were indoor plumbing, air conditioning, and grid-like cities.

Cuneiform was created

3500 BCE

Cuneiform was the first writing script. It was invented by the ancient Sumerians (in Mesopotamia) and used to keep records of crops. The first story was The Epic of Gilgamesh.

Old Kingdom

2613 BCE

During this time period, Pharoahs were god-like. All pyramids that we see today, in Egypt, were built at this time. They also built the great sphinx during this time. The oldest pyramid is the Pyramid of Djoser (2300 BC).

Middle Kingdom

2050 BCE

This time period was known as the "Golden Age". They made hidden tombs instead of pyramids. The Egyptians were taken over by the Hyksos during this time, but they converted to their way of life.

Hammurabi's code creation

1792 BCE

Hammurabi's code is a strict set of laws created by the Babylonian king, Hammurabi. The laws are in a lot of detail, and have specific punishments for specific crimes. An example would be that if you take a man's eye out, then your eye would be taken out.

Indus Civilization Falls apart

1700 BCE

The Indus River Valley Civilization falls apart around this time. It is said to have ended because the Aryans, who are Indo-Europeans that were focused on conquering, invaded them. Although, there are still other theories about the decline of the Indus Civilization. The theories include Over-used resources, a flood, an earthquake, and a nuclear bomb.

New Kingdom

1550 BCE

This time period was a period of expansion. The Egyptians kept getting conquered because they were so rich. The pharoahs during this time were buried in The Valley of Kings (which was a graveyard).

First Female Military Leader

1250 BCE

Fu Hao lived during the Shang Dynasty, which was the first dynasty. She was the first female military leader, and was a pretty good one. She was also the wife of an emperor.

Babylon re-established

634 BCE

After the Hittites conquered the Babylonians the first time, and the Assyrians conquered the Hittites, then Nebuchadnezzar re-established Babylon. He built walls and a moat around the city. He also built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

The Warring States Period

475 BCE

The warring states period was an era of war between many states. The Qin state conquered them all and ruled China as the Qin Dynasty. The Qin Dynasty leader, Qin Shi Huangdi, was known for his brutality.

Start of The Great Wall of China

220 BCE

The construction of The Great Wall of China was started by the Qin Dynasty leader Qin Shi Huangdi. It was created to prevent the invasion of the Huns. He created it along the northern border.