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Rise of Early Civilizations

  • 6000 BCE

    Chiefdoms Evolve

    Chiefdoms in Mesopotamia developed into independent city-states that would rise into powerful civilizations. These states would constantly be at war
  • 3500 BCE

    Summer Civilization

    The Mesopotamian Summer civilization developed to the south of Mesopotamia near the Euphrates River. The first cities like Uruk, the first writing system called cuneiform, and a set of examples of fragmented cities developed here and would go on to shape many modern civilizations
  • 3400 BCE

    Nubian Civilization

    The Nubian civilization developed to the north of the Nile River. The Nubian civilization would constantly trade and interact with Egypt through the Nile river.
  • 3100 BCE

    Unification of Egypt

    Many chiefdoms along the south of the Nile River were united under one ruler called the Pharaoh. This created one of the most stable and powerful kingdoms in history
  • 3000 BCE

    Indus Valley Civilization

    The Indus Valley Civilization developed in modern-day Pakistan/India with managed cities. Unlike Mesopotamia and Egypt, the Indus Valley did not have palaces, kings, or temples.
  • 3000 BCE

    Norte Chico Civilization

    The Norte Chico civilization developed with over 25 urban centers. The economy heavily relied on fishing and cotton rather than grains. Norte Chico also had no pottery, writing, or defensive walls compared to other early American civilizations
  • 2350 BCE

    Conquest of Mesopotamia

    Outsider Sumerian states start conquering lands in Mesopotamia, leading to the development of early empires
  • 2200 BCE

    Oxus Civilization

    The Oxus Civilization developed along the Amu Darya River, located in modern-day Afghanistan. It developed a very efficient irrigation method and stock keeping. Additionally, it had the aristocratic elites.
  • 2200 BCE

    Egypt in Anarchy

    Central power in Egypt collapsed, leading to chaos. After restoration, Pharos regained power but not at the same level as before.
  • 2200 BCE

    Chinese Dynasties

    The first dynasties in China (Xia, Shang, and Zhou) developed and expanded their centralized rule. They named their ruler "Son of Heaven," and developed the oracle bone script, which is known as the first form of Chinese writing.
  • 1700 BCE

    Collapse of South-Asian Civilizations

    The Indus Valley and the Oxus civilizations collapsed due to environmental issues such as erosion, soil flooding, and deforestation. Urban centers were abandoned, but a legacy and influence were left on the development of Iran, India, and the eastern Mediterranean.
  • 1650 BCE

    Migrations into Nile Valley

    Waves of migrants came into Egypt, bringing chariot technology, armor, weaving, musical instruments, and new crops.
  • 1500 BCE

    Egypt Imperialism

    Egypt expands and conquers lands outside of Egypt in Asia and Africa. They maintained diplomacy with neighboring countries.
  • 1200 BCE

    Olmec Civilization

    The Olmec civilization developed in the south of the Gulf of Mexico in Mesoamerica. This civilization is often called the mother civilization in mesoaerica, thanks to its contributions such as maize (corn) and basalt figures of leaders
  • 900 BCE

    Olmec Writting

    The Olmec created the first writing system in the Americas, which influenced future civilizations like the Maya and Teotihuacan.