These communities expanded into what we consider cities, Uruk being the first one around BCE. At its height, it was home to approximately 50, people. In addition to agriculture, Mesopotamia is known for its lucrative trade and the establishment of various industries, including masonry, metalwork, and leatherwork.
Historians even consider its people responsible for the invention of the wheel. However, the region was seized by the Persians around BCE. By the time Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire some two hundred years later, most of the Mesopotamian cities and culture had been supplanted. The Jiahu settlement is located in the central plain of ancient China, an area known today as the Henan Province.
One of the most remarkable discoveries was the bone flute which is considered the oldest working musical instrument. Typically carved from the wing bone of a crane, these flutes were most likely used in special ceremonies.
It is assumed that the Jiahu people left their home to settle elsewhere, even though there is no indication as to where that might have been. The indigenous peoples of Australia were the inhabitants of mainland Australia and its islands before the arrival of European colonizers. It is generally believed that they originally came from Southeast Asia during a time when sea levels were low and land bridges more extensive.
Research indicates that they are the oldest civilization on earth. They traded basic human needs like food for ornamental items with other civilisations like the Mesopotamians and Chinese, which also indicates their self sufficiency in food and higher states of existences. It has been found that Mehrgarh in the Indus Valley goes back years.
They could drill teeth and create pots on wheels and sail the sea from the Indus Valley to Sumeria. Sumerians came in from somewhere else and passed through the Indus Valley. The Sumerians had a language related to people in Hungary called the Magyars. You did not give any details about Aboriginal Australian civilization 40, years ago, just a cremation 24, years ago.
Or does does the ability to migrate to a distant continent imply civilization? What about danube civilization which is years old? Vinca site in Serbia shows that people where living in houses 5ooo bc while the rest of europe were still in stone age, also they invented the wheel before its considered to be in mesopotamia. They found one i slovenia years old and more. On balkan area you have first metallurgy, in Sibenik in croatia danilo culture they found evidence of first milk fermention cheese making years bc.
There was a civilization on balkan that no one seem to know about or care what after all this article seems to represent. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Spread the love. Spread the loveThe first edition of Guinness World Records was published in and since then, the organization has become….
Spread the loveSuperheroes are some of the most-loved characters in the world. From story-rich comic series to the big screen,…. Spread the loveLibraries around the world have long been revered as temples of human knowledge. Spread the loveWhen you think of art, the image that might be conjured in your head may be of an…. There are 6 comments. And here it is, the first civilization to have ever emerged.
The origin of Mesopotamia dates back so far that there is no known evidence of any other civilized society before them. Mesopotamia is generally credited as being the first place where civilized society truly began to take shape.
It was somewhere around BC that people developed the idea of agriculture and slowly started to domesticate animals for both food and to assist in farming. People had already been creating art well before the Mesopotamians, but this was part of human culture, not human civilization. It was the Mesopotamian civilization that refined this, adding to and formalizing all these systems, and combining them to create the first civilization.
They prospered in the regions of modern-day Iraq, then known as Babylonia, Sumer, and the Assyria Highlands. Modern-day culture and civilization owes a lot to the earliest civilizations that emerged after millions of years of human evolution. Human civilization has come a long way from an age when there were no defined means of communication and hunting was the primary source of food.
Gradually, agriculture took over from foraging, animals were domesticated, societies were created and developed, and eventually led to the societies that we live in today. Each individual civilization listed here contributed in many ways: new inventions, new ideas, new cultures, philosophies, lifestyles, etc.
From the very cradle of civilization to the modern day, what we have become is a result of all civilizations that came before. If you use the definition of civilized in the dictionary these may be the top ten, but there is evidence that the Aborigines of Australia have been around for close to sixty-thousand years. That sounds much more civilized than the world we live in today. In the s, genomic studies of worlds peoples found that the Y chromosome of San men share certain patterns of polymorphisms that are distinct from those of all other populations.
The authors of these studies suggested that the San may have been one of the first populations to differentiate from the most recent common paternal ancestor of all extant humans, the so-called Y-chromosomal Adam by patrilineal descent, estimated to have lived 60, to 90, years ago.
Similar to findings from Y-Chromosome studies, mitochondrial DNA studies also showed evidence that the Khoe—San people carry high frequencies of the earliest haplogroup branches in the human mitochondrial DNA tree. The most divergent oldest mitochondrial haplogroup, L0d, have been identified at its highest frequencies in the southern African Khoe and San groups.
The distinctiveness of the Khoisan in both matrilineal and patrilineal groupings is a further indicator that they represent a population historically distinct from other Africans. Also…African pygmy populations are genetically diverse and extremely divergent from all other human populations, suggesting they have an ancient indigenous lineage. Their uniparental markers represent the second-most ancient divergence right after those typically found in Khoisan peoples.
Recent advances in genetics shed some light on the origins of the various pygmy groups. Dispelling many myths as we move along. Unfortunately hunter gatherers do not fall within the definition of a civilization. In order to really reach the point of civilization you need to be stable enough to form cities. Do these ancient Africans have some man-made buildings or cities that could prove their existence?
If so they did not qualify as civilizations. Homo sapiens sapiens modern man exist more than 30,? What I am curious to find out is with the discovery of several more ancient civilizations what is the official word on Gobekli Tepe. It is supposedly older than Mesopotamia by 3,, years circa 7, B. Thank you. There are man made ancient african buildings. Plus i got some problems with this list.
What about Armenia? We are one of the oldest ones in the world aswell. Existed along with Egypt, Persia and Mesopotamian coutries. And as well Armenia was one of the biggest ones then. What country was inbetween Sumer and Persia? That huge country inbetween, which was one of the biggest and richest ones then. Why do always everyone misses that part of history, though there are thousands of facts? Modern humans have been around for over K years and Neanderthals and others for over K years.
The question is what will we uncover further underground in the future? Gobelkli Tempe and other were only down 10 t0 50 feet. Even the Sphinx was completely buried. As you go back in time, the evidence would be more likely to be destroyed. Worldwide, scholars, archaeologists and the Historians have watched closely Keezhadi, a small village situated 12 km from Madurai. Not only Tamil Nadu but the people from the Northern states come in mass at Keezhadi.
More than fifteen thousand archaeological objects have been found in the five-stage excavation performed in the Keezhadi village near the city Madurai. All these performances were an example of the age of the Sangam period, which stretch as much lengthy in the Tamil literature! The ancient city Madurai so-called Moothoor is the traditional one, where is lying in the river banks of Vaigai.
Believed the events described in the Shiva Purana was in this ancient city. The Archaeological survey of ancient antiquity, which has so far been considered merely a believer, has become acceptable to the world. All these excavations of brick houses, well, pottery and the Tamil scripts on the pottery- wares proved that the Tamils had urbanized civilization since in the 6 BCE to 1 AD. You have short changed the East Asian culture, Chinese possibly, by not mentioning the Liangzhu. This civilization was perhaps more advanced than their western contemporaries and ruled their territory for a thousnd years from about BCE.
Ancient Chinese civilization one of the oldest in the world and certainly the longest continuous civilization with plethora of technological advances that went from China to the west. Astrology, philosophy, agriculture and medicine were also far advanced for the time. Many great inventions and innovations from China thousands of years ago are still being used throughout the world today. Starting with DNA this article points to the work that finds like many other works that Indigenous Australians represent one of the oldest continuing human cultures and civilisations.
No doubt ancient African and Eurasian cultures have similar qualities and deserve to be considered as very early human civilisations. Even after having lost some of their language, the San language still uses over distinct sounds, more than any other language in the world.
All languages are regarded as having descended from this tongue. No other language, and no other people, have been scientifically documented as being older. But, while what you say is true, the aboriginals are and always have been a culture and not a civilization. Aboriginal people did not form a true civilization. Apples vs oranges. I also thought that a mark of a civilization is when humans have some sort of social structure whether it is matriarchal or patriarchal leadership when they could self-govern themselves.
There is hard proof that aboriginal australians are originally from south asia along with some other small islands and regions. They originally are more of direct decedents of essentially south asians. No Sir, the Aboriginals and most people from the oceanias migrated out of Africa 75, years ago. There were several waves of migration out of Africa.
Africa is the most genetically diverse continent. Correct sir. These people migrated out of Africa to other parts of the world to create the people that are currently there. And most people would prefer not to say so but the so-called middle east was actually part of Eastern Africa. Bob, How do you know they had no wars if we have very little historical evidence of them? War, misery and other issues have always been here, and unfortunately, will always be here.
I highly doubt the Aborigines — or any other civilization — did not wage war. Groups of aboriginals routinely waged war for revenge, stealing women or for superiority. This has been cited and proven many times. I have to point out that you have forgotten about one old civilization. They are older then Egiptians. Look it on Google. Also will somebody explain to me why people who put entasis and diminution on a Doric column are a Civilization and people who put entasis and diminution on a trilithon are just a bunch of ignorant savages?
Dear Bob, Absolutely true. The Australian Aborgines were in harmony with nature and each other roughly 50, yrs ago. This is a serious ommision of the most ancient civilisation. The evidence point to a design. We were designed for an infinite being that most people call God. I call him: My God, the one who sent his Son to die for humankind.
I appreciate your recognition of the indigenous people of Australia. Breeding programs and such. Let me guess… Sounds like Arun is speaking some form of modernized romanized Gobeklian language. Not even close? Well, if so either Arun… you got to fire your English teacher or your keyboard is fried! Spot on Bob If by civilisation we mean managing to have a population exposion long enough to withstand the next minor disaster there are quite a few.
Having regard to the number of foods the whole world appear to rely on and take for granted ;which emanated from the Americas , i do wonder whether they have had the longest civilisation in the world. Potatoes,sweet potatoes,beans chillies,tomatoes,corn,etc we would be pretty malnourished if not for the Americas. As an Australian: this is correct. The exact date of Aboriginal civilisation in Australia is uncertain but believed to be 65kk years ago. Also: Aboriginal, not Aboriginie. I do believe looking into some of the other options posted by fellow readers, to keep up accuracy in the information we collect to better help ourselves.
I truly appreciate your time, effort, knowledge and delightful way the work you provided us had been displayed, thank you. You forgot about Kush aka the ancient Nubians. Yes, they conquered Egypt but they should not be included as part of the ancient Egyptians civilization.
They deserve their own title. People need to stop making things up. Proven historical evidence tells us all people are decedents of people from the African continent. Kemet Land of the black is the name of the land now known as Egypt. Indeed the Aboriginies have the oldest RELIGION in the world: The belief that all we know manifested from the ancient Dreamtime, and that all reality is actually dreampt into existence by extradimensional intelligent design.
Maybe the Aboriginies just never saw the need to build cities and temples, as the world was their temple…everyones temple. All the empires which ever existed collapsed, and collapsed without grace. The Aboriginies had no empire and their ways have never changed. I ended up on this web page randomly. Enjoyed the article and read or scanned most of the comments. Well done, everyone.
Regardless of competing opinions, it is truly wonderful to see that people take an interest in such subjects. I am primarily Anglo-Saxon but with some Australian Aboriginal blood by descent. I have always been interested in anthropology, ancient history, archaeology, and sociology.
It is my understanding from schooling at university level and further study, that man came out of Africa and spread across the globe as it was whenever that was — witness the division of opinion here, just on that question alone.
Good point. Who knows how many layers of the lost and unknown are below our feet? I believe in God, Heaven and Hell.
I hope that one day in the future — when I get to Heaven, maybe! I too read the top 10 list and the many comments.
It was intriguing to see the the author chose to pick Mesopotamia as the oldest. History is vast and the beginning is blurred, human logic has a tendency to set up a beginning to make one feel like there is a reason, a cause, a connection to a greater figure. All religion is a symptom in society. In time it will fade. All the ancient civilisation followed a religion or several but as they died, so did the religions.
Religion is used by individuals or groups of individual to rule over others because the fear and scope of one path stretches far beyond a lifetime therefore the need for it only arises when one wishes to be civilised. That is right. It was the most ancient and most civilised civilisations in the world. Only we did not accept it. Except Indus valley one, most were barbaric civilisations with cruel customs by any standard.
You are so right. They were master conservationists and environmentalists, leaving the Earth pristine as they lived through scores of thousands of years. That is civilization and being civilized.
Look at the ruins our planet is in. And that ruin is based on the civilizations this article admires and purports as the most ancient. Sad that truth telling only applies to modern day Australians. Aboriginal Australian culture is a very primitive culture with no written history.
Who were the great thinkers and leaders over the 60; years. We only have fanciful stories and basic rock art to show existence. They lived in harmony with nature a failure to do so would meant extinction. No, communism is not civilised, and there is no reason to think that lack o private ownership would prevent wars. The Abos were savages. Did you mention polar reversals? Could civilizations contact with each other from Africa to South America pre historically?
Too much history missing from fire that destroyed the library of Alexandria. All North indian languages arrived from sanskrit. But sanskrit comes from tamil.
And if you searched in the internet also you can find tamil language is the core root of all the languages in the world. Many scientist also confirmed this. Kumarikandam is the very oldest and may be the first civilization in the world. Tamil and Sanskrit are entirely different. Tamil is the parent of Dravidian south Indian languages. Vedic Sanskrit, was considered as the language of the gods.
Sanskrit was born when the Vedas Born. Have you researched well into History, I think not! What about Carthage in located in present day Tunisia is one of the most Advanced civilization rival to Ancient Rome and came long into existence before Ancient Rome, history has it that the founders of Ancient Rome visited Ancient Carthage while escaping from just destroyed Ancient Troy by the Greeks which lies right in the heart of Africa before heading for Italy to establish Ancient Rome.
What about Parthia in present day Turkey that defeated Ancient Rome in fierce battle. Completely agree with Bob Shaw. No question that the Australian aborigines are the oldest surviving culture not sure about the San but were they a civilisation? Certainly they had and have an empire of the mind comprising mythology, law, custom, epic songs and poems, art, and a shared canon of oral literature.
I think it has something to do with staying in one place and building common use structures like agoras, palaces, libraries, courts, religious buildings and so on. The carving is impressive! Who cares though. Aboriginal society punches above its weight in attracting the worlds attention. When we speak about civilisation.
It means too many things invented such as writing sys. Military sys and social sys which had been created in mesapotamia. They are too many places in iran. Gobe Tepe , Turkey dates to BC with star charting circles and underground caverns nearby. The caverns go down many levels with animal storage and family areas, Food storage and common rooms. It is the oldest carved item found.
They had Bronze star discs. The Celts in cave sites in germany after that are BC. The mummies are still there with jewelry. Open Daily for visits. It is a burial tomb that calendar dates the three shortest days of the year. There is a writing on the tomb walls. Around it are moon charting posts—by inserted drilling holes. Knowth , next to it; dates when to start Spring and planting. Near Slain, Ireland. Before that there were only timbers back to BC , they are being excavated.
What about kush axum civilization. You just dont want to tell about african civilization nemroid is son of kush who built Babylon Mesopotamia. Kushitic built the pyramids.
Read greek histrian Herodotus and homer. Some times you just hide the truth because people know the truth black people the first on earth Lucy. Between 12, and 4,ish BC you had cultures rather than full blown civilizations. Before then people were living in huts and caves and as far as we know communicated through animal pictures. These are not the oldest civilizations.
Not to mention the Mycenaean in the Minoans which predate ancient Greece. Also other various other civilizations scattered throughout history. Heck by comparison Rome is incredibly recent. In my opinion you can barely call it ancient.
And if you really want to get technical, the solutreans who were technically Hunter and gatherers in archaic France had an established home base and fit many of the criteria for a civilization and they existed during the last ice age.
My point is that your list is super inaccurate. Even if your criteria includes having an established written language you should at least have the Mycenaeans and Minoans over the Greeks and the Romans. They are so ancient that the Greeks and the Romans considered them their ancient ancestors. And in fact we have recently deciphered their language in the past like 2 years.
That alone should put them on this list. Gobekli Tepe which has been known since the 90s is much older. Oh and with a cursory look at the other comments I completely forgot the Aboriginal people. Next time you do a list like this clearly state what your criteria for the list are. Civilizations are the sum of cultures and indigenous groups, which are what these older gatherings of people were.
All scientific authorities use similar criteria when regarding civilization. That was an Illyrian-Pellasgian civilization, predecessors of modern day Albanians. An academic way of defining civilization, which misses the truth. Sorcerers know the Beginning and the End,,, however they are despised.
As for Mesopotamia location is concerned, Zagros mountain is in current Iran. Therefore, northeast of zagros is still in Iran. Informative but textbook style. There is reason to assume that much more advanced civilisations existed much earlier than those you mentioned.
The evidence are piling up. Nice article. But, what about the dwaraka city from india. And what about Danube river valley civilization? Older than than Mesopotamia and more civilized.. You have made an interesting point that may be linked to the people who lived before the great flood, and those who did survive it, and propagated the human race thereafter. However, who exactly were these people and what did they leave behind as proof of their existence, and the proof of they being of more ancient origins than the Sumerians and Akkadians?
You provided us with a list of the Slavic nations that are of modern times, but if your theory is correct, what were these people known as, specifically?
Did they have a writing system? What about their religious, and spiritual beliefs? Recently, there were some massive stones that were discovered, I believe in the northern Russian mountains.
Is there a possibility that this civilization of which you speak, were the amazing builders architects of this paleolithic structure? Thank you for the comment, though. Very thought-provoking. Are you talking about Baalbek In Lebanon? Have a look by googling it. Huge artificially cut stones! And there are many theories about what they were used for. The ancient Greeks and Romans built temples on them but are not the builders of the plateau.
Check your twisted history Adolf! Mankind started and originated from Southern Africa, if you want to get right down to it. Do some more reading and studying before you make unsubstantiated claims.
Are you getting this information from a religious text or something because this is not based on science or hard facts that hav been proven. I am not going to bring religion into this and just state wat science says. Science says that we evolved from other species, Apes. There are the bones of our ancestors found in the Middle East to prove it. If you want more proof look it up. Also the fact that these bones and all of the bones found were in the Middle East proves that humans originate from their.
The first human existed probably around , YA. No writing existed then so you can not prove that. My philosophical engineering concept practicals of real world : For a human one simple word , hence it should be one simple life of freedom no life. Yeah, early literature aboyt trading activities, coinage, mega temples one of which still exist well planned roads, buildings etc doesnt count.
Stupid when you say city it doesnt mean there was no civilisation around it. Great cities never come into exostence without any civilisation to back them up.
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