1. The Origins of Civilization Up until about 12,000 years ago, all humans were hunter-gatherers: that is, they lived by hunting wild game, fishing, and gathering fruits and berries. They lived in small bands, following a mobile lifestyle as they followed animal herds and moved to where more plants could be found. They owned only […]
Civilization
History of China
Introduction Longevity In terms of longevity, the only rival it has is India’s, the other civilization that dates back to ancient times which is still flourishing today. And indeed, the Indus civilization pre-dated the rise of literate, urban civilization in China by about a thousand years. However, it later vanished, and cultures in the Indian […]
Ancient China: Civilization
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Overview of the history and civilization of Ancient China
Ancient Mesopotamia: Civilization and Society
Ancient Mesopotamia saw the rise of the first civilization in world history. All later Western civilizations were built on the foundations laid down here
Ancient Egypt: Civilization and Society
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Ancient Egypt was one of the earliest, longest-lasting and most influential civilizations in world history
Ancient India: Civilization and Society
The history and civilization of Ancient India, including timeline and overview
Ancient Greek Civilization
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The civilization of Ancient Greece was one of the most brilliant in world history
Africa: societies and cultures of sub-Saharan Africa
1. Geographical background The geography of Sub-Saharan Africa poses severe challenges to the rise and spread of pre-modern civilization. A hard environment The ancientness of the continent’s rocks, whose minerals have leeched out over the aeons, mean that the soil is generally of a poor quality, posing challenges for farmers. In many regions low or […]
The Classical Era of Ancient India
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The Classical Age of Ancient India was the time and place in world history where three major religions – Classical Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism – originated
Pre-Columbian Civilizations of America
The Two Heartlands of Pre-Columbian civilization Two regions in particular of America developed great Pre-Columbian civilizations. Central America produced several major Pre-Columbian civilizations, including the Olmec (fl. c. 1500-500 BCE), the Maya (c. 100-1000 CE) and the Aztec. In South America, the Pacific coast and Andes highlands of Peru, and later Ecuador, Columbia and western […]
India: the Medieval Era
Medieval India saw the high point of Hindu civilization in the Indian sub-continent, followed by a succession of Muslim conquests.
Western Civilization
The modern West is the most extraordinary civilization that has existed in world history (so far). It has risen to become a globe-spanning industrial society espousing democracy and the rule of law.
Ancient Persian Civilization
Early Iran The heartland of ancient Persian civilization – as is true for its Islamic successor – is the modern country of Iran. In ancient times, Iran bordered the land of Mesopotamia (in modern Iraq), and was deeply influenced by Ancient Mesopotamian civilization. This was the first urban and literate culture in world history, and […]
The Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient India
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Civilization Overview: Indus Valley Civilization
The first great chapter in the history of ancient India was the Indus Valley civilization
Minoan civilization
The Minoans were the first Europeans to have literate civilization