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.
  • 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
  • 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.