Oldest civilization in the World

Define civilization.

A civilization means the existence of a complex society that has certain features, such as the development of the state, social stratification, urbanization, and symbolic systems of communication beyond natural spoken language, namely a writing system.

What are the four oldest civilizations?

The four oldest civilizations in the world are Mesopotamia Civilization, Egyptian Civilization, Indus Valley Civilization, and Chinese Civilization.

Which civilization is defined as a civilization of “firsts” and why?

Ancient Egyptians can be defined as a civilization of “firsts” because of the following reasons: (a) They are known for making advancements in the fields of mathematics and medical science.

(b) Waterways were used as trade routes, first by them. They made tools from bronze. It’s fascinating to know that they were also the first people to use toothpaste and wear wigs.

(c) Hieroglyphics was the writing system of the Egyptians. They developed the first phonetic alphabet, which was widely used due to papyrus paper being invented, which in turn led to the development of the first postal system.

Which civilization developed in India?

The Harappan Civilization, popularly known as the Indus Valley Civilization, is the most widespread civilization of the Ancient World, extending from modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan to north-west India. The earliest Harappan people gathered around the Indus River’s basin, establishing farming settlements at first.

Were the Harappans peaceful?

A striking feature is that archaeologists have found no traces of warfare or mass violence. It is estimated that Harappans lived without armor and weapons for more than 700 years. They were a group of peaceful people who traded amicably with neighboring civilizations. Perhaps it was their disinterest in war that led to their downfall at the hands of Central Asian invaders.



Oldest Civilization In The World

Oldest Civilization In The World: Mesopotamia is the oldest civilization in the world. The four oldest civilizations in the world are the Mesopotamia Civilization, the Egyptian Civilization, the Indus Valley Civilization, and the Chinese Civilization. Civilization means the existence of a complex society with certain features, such as the development of the state, social stratification, urbanization, and symbolic communication systems beyond natural spoken language, namely a writing system.

Read below to learn about the oldest civilizations of the world, including Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Indus Valley, and Mayan civilizations, in-depth.

Oldest Civilizations in The World

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Overview on Mesopotomian Civilization

Aspect Overview Name Mesopotamian Civilization Location Present-day Iraq, Kuwait, parts of Syria, Turkey, and Iran Time Period Approx. 3500 BCE – 500 BCE Major Cities Ur, Uruk, Babylon, Nineveh Writing System Cuneiform script on clay tablets Religion Polytheistic with gods such as Anu (sky god), Enlil (god of wind and storm), and Inanna (goddess of love and war) Government City-states ruled by kings; later, empires such as Akkadian and Assyrian emerged Achievements – Invention of the wheel and writing system (cuneiform)– Development of advanced irrigation techniques– Architectural marvels such as ziggurats– Advancements in mathematics and astronomy– Legal code of Hammurabi Economy Agrarian-based economy with agriculture (irrigation farming), trade (barter system), and craft specialization Decline Various factors contributed to the decline, including invasions, internal conflicts, environmental degradation (salinization of soil), and the fall of major empires such as the Akkadian and Babylonian empires. Legacy – Influence on subsequent civilizations in the region– Contributions to human knowledge and culture, including law codes, literature, astronomy, and mathematics– Inspiration for the development of later civilizations such as Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome...

Oldest Civilization in the World – Mesopotamia Civilization (4000 BCE – 6000 BCE)

Mesopotamia is the oldest civilization in the world. Mesopotamia is located between two rivers: the Tigris and the Euphrates. Mesopotamia means’meso’ meaning between and ‘potamos’ meaning river....

Egyptian Civilization (3150 BCE–30 BCE)

When King Menes—the first pharaoh—unified regions of Upper and Lower Egypt in 3150 BCE, the Ancient Egyptian Civilization was established....

Indus Valley Civilization (3300 BCE–1900 BCE)

The Harappan Civilization, popularly known as the Indus Valley Civilization, is the most widespread civilization of the Ancient World, extending from modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan to north-west India. The earliest Harappan people gathered around the Indus River’s basin, establishing farming settlements at first. Important Indus Valley Civilization sites are: Harappa, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Mohenjodaro, Ganweriwala, Lothal, Kalibangan, Surkotada, etc....

Mayan Civilization (2600 BC–900 AD)

The present-day region of Yucatan is the location where the Mayan Civilization began, a prime civilization of the Central American region. They are credited with making the solar calendar that is engraved on a stone. The civilization declined somewhere in the middle of the 8th and 9th centuries, though the exact reasons are not known to date....

Chinese Civilization (7000 BCE–5700 BCE)

Written records from the earliest times show that Chinese history dates back to as early as 1250 BCE. Starting with the Shang Dynasty during Wu Ding’s reign. The Jiahu settlement, located in the central plain of ancient China, is today known as the Henan Province. Many artifacts can be found here, along with pottery and tools, which are indicated by people having uncovered records of the earliest examples of Chinese writing and proof that they were producers of the world’s oldest wine....

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