AP World Summer: Chapter 2- Thinking About Chronology

  • Period: 3500 BCE to

    Egyptian Civilization

    Evolved along the Nile River Valley. Centralized state ruled by a Pharaoh. Supported by predictable flooding caused by the Nile River. Involved hieroglyphic writing.
  • Period: 3500 BCE to 3000 BCE

    Sumerian Civilization

    Early development of Mesopotamian civilization. One of the earliest civilizations. First written language which was cuneiform and the start of city-states.
  • Period: 3000 BCE to 2000 BCE

    Indus Valley Civilization

    Formed in the Indus and Saraswati river valleys. Involved well-planned cities, undeciphered writing and standardized weights.
  • Period: 3000 BCE to 1800 BCE

    Notre Chico Civilization

    Located in present-day Peru. Developed 26 urban centers and had large stone structure like the city of Caral.
  • 2350 BCE

    Fall of Mesopotamia

    Environmental devastation, warfare, outside forces and the building of other large empires around Mesopotamia led to its decline.
  • 2300 BCE

    Beginning of Mesopotamian Sea Trade

    Mesopotamia began trading with the Indus Valley civilization.
  • 2200 BCE

    Beginning of Oxus Civilization

    Located in Central Asia (present-day Afghanistan and Turkmenistan). Centered around the Oxus or Amu Darya river valley. Involved a social hierarchy centered around deities. Known for elaborate architecture. Used irrigation agriculture.
  • 2200 BCE

    First Chinese Civilization

    Defined as the ideal centralized state. Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties made the Chinese state bigger. The ruler was the person between heaven and earth and was called the "Son of Heaven". Had an early written language and has oracle bones as proof of early documents
  • 2000 BCE

    Epic of Gilgamesh Compiled in Mesopotamia

    It is the earliest known form of literature. Representation of Mesopotamian Kingship. The message was on mortality.
  • Period: 1600 BCE to 1046 BCE

    Shang Dynasty in China

    Worshipped ancestors. Had notable technology development in bronze. Known for its oracle bones.
  • 1595 BCE

    Indo-European Hittites Conquer Babylonian Empire

    They conquered the Babylonian Empire using horse and chariot armies they had brought to Mesopotamia.
  • 1500 BCE

    Egypt Becomes an Imperial State

    Began to rule over non-Egyptian people in African and Asian regions. Frequently collaborated with Middle Eastern Empires.
  • 1200 BCE

    Beginning of Olmec Civilization

    Cities formed from competing chiefdoms which created elaborate ceremonial centers. Created the first written language in America in around 900 B.C.E. Influenced later civilizations in Mesoamerica like Teotihuacán and Maya.
  • 1175 BCE

    Code of Hammurabi in Mesopotamia

    It was the law code in Mesopotamia. Emphasized on the importance of high social hierarchy positions. Embraced the concept of patriarchal rule.
  • 500 BCE

    Establishment of Persian Empire

    Was one of the first empires established. It was the Largest of its time. It incorporated a lot of notable infrastructure that was very culturally significant to the developments at the time.