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The first "accurate" representation of humans (Homo Sapiens) arrived in Africa between 200,000-150,000 years ago. Research shows that they began to spread from Africa only 70,000 years ago. -
Homo Sapiens are met with Neanderthals for the first time, between 200000 and 30000 b.c.e. This took place in Neander Valley, Germany. Remains have since been found in Europe and Western Asia. Neanderthals were the first species to rely on stone tools and were also the first to bury their people. -
During the Paleolithic era, history shows an uptake in fire usage, hunting and gathering, and diverse artifacts. The Paleolithic era is also responsible for the first recorded instance of music! -
Pottery and Weaving were the two main forms of art among the Mesopotamians. Potters began to use furnaces and fire their finished clay pottery to create jars, bowls, pots, and plates. -
In early Mesopotamia, the inhabitants of the area dug canals around their settlements. They collected rainwater in the driest areas of town, and made sure they had the supply to create early concepts of plumbing. -
During the Neolithic Era, history shows that this is when we first began settling communities. The domestication of animals also became more common. Pottery and weaving were the most common forms of art, and stone tools came into existence. -
Major Innovations in Mesopotamia were happening under the Sumerians. Writing in the form of cuneiform script was established, along with mathematics that had a base-60 number system. Architecture made a huge rise in this era as well, with buildings and temples becoming more elaborate and sturdy. The code of Hammurabi also came into existence, with 282 laws inscribed on clay palettes. The lunar calendar became very popular as well due to astronomers getting more and more advanced. -
Ancient Egypt's government was established in 3150 BCE, in a pyramid style that put farmers labourers on the bottom. Followed by artisans, scribes, district governors, royal overseers, viziers/high priests, and the Pharaoh on the very top. Each rank has a specific job, and it is said that they can only marry within their ranks. -
In ancient Mesopotamia, the settlers built ziggurats as a temple of worship. The ziggurats were built with mud brick and baked brick, in multiple tiers that created balconies on each level. Settlers would place occasional offerings at the lowest levels, and a priest would move it to an altar. -
Rather than drying out bodies with sand and placing pots and jars in the dug-out grave with the body, Egyptians began to remove the organs of the body and dry it out using salt. Following the drying, they would apply oil and wraps to the bodies, and encase them in the ground. Royalty/Rulers would be placed in a tomb, the most famous being King Tut who was buried in the Valley of the Kings. -
This flood was a major event that supposedly continued for two full generations. It was said to have been caused by a failed dam resulting in a landslide that fell through the Yellow River. There were between 400,000 and 900,000 deaths as a result of this tragic flood in ancient China. -
Babylonia was a city in Mesopotamia that had great power and was inhabited by the Akkadian, but ruled by the Amorites. Once the Hammurabi took over, it became a rapidly growing empire. Once the death of the Hammurabi occured, the empire fell apart as fast as it became a thing. -
Written on stone and clay tablets is the Code of Hammurabi, the early law from ancient Babylon in Mesopotamia. It's one of the earliest writings in the world, with laws such as:
"If the owner do not bring witnesses to identify the lost article, he is an evil-doer, he has traduced, and shall be put to death."
The Hammurabi code of law is very violent, and has a lot of death sentences throughout the 282 laws. -
During the time of the Shang Dynasty, they developed writing, advanced from wooden to bronze tools and weapons, and upgraded weaponry for their military. One of the biggest pieces from this timeline is divination on dragon bones. After decoding the inscriptions on the bones, archaeologists have been able to uncover many things about the Shang Dynasty and the way they ruled Ancient China. -
The caste system consists of five tiers, each differing in power and income levels. On the bottom, there are the outcasts (untouchables) which is the equivalent of human dirt. Next, there are Sudras, which are considered peasants and servants. Viasya refers to the landowners. Kshatryia is the soldiers or warriors. At the very top of the Indian Caste System are the Bhramins, or the priests of highest powers. Above all else are the Gods, which man cannot compare to. -
Neferusobek was the first woman in ancient Egypt to have gained the title of Pharaoh. She was the first woman to take power in this time period, marking a huge stepping stone in history. -
King Yu is an ancient Chinese emperor, said to have redirected the flooding of the yellow river. He dug at least hundreds of channels to connect rivers and divert the flooding away from the cities and civilization. He has been painted and depicted to be holding a scepter (Ruyi) as a symbol of elite powers. -
Dao is the way, or the overlooked principle of the universe and history. People are considered inherently good and bad, and they believe that by being natural and in tune with nature, they can avoid violence and struggle. As an indigenious philosophical religious tradition to China, it emphasizes harmony with the Tao (the way of seeing the universe). -
Confucianism was founded by Confucious. It follows the beliefs of respect, faithfulness, and honesty. Essentially it was the golden rule of Ancient Chinese cultures. -
Qin Shihuangdi rose to power in 221 BCE. The country name "China" comes from his name "Qin" (Chen). The Qin Dynasty used a single monetary system, adopted legalism, and began the use of systems of roads.