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Around 2.5 million years ago, early humans started making stone tools. They used these tools to cut food, hunt animals, and make other things. This happened mostly in East Africa. These tools were very important because they helped early humans survive and grow smarter. -
Homo sapiens, or modern humans first appeared. This happened in Africa. They were smarter and more advanced than earlier humans. Their emergence was important because they developed tools, and art, and started forming communities. -
Early humans began migrating out of Africa. They spread to different parts of the world, including Asia and Europe. This migration helped humans adapt to new environments and develop diverse cultures. -
Humans started developing complex languages. They used sounds and symbols to communicate more effectively. This helped them share ideas, work together, and build communities. -
Early humans created cave paintings in Europe. They used natural pigments to draw animals and scenes from their lives. These paintings are some of the earliest forms of human art and storytelling. -
The last Ice Age ended causing the Earth's climate to warm. Glaciers melted and sea levels rose, changing the landscape. This allowed humans to settle in new areas and develop agriculture. -
Humans started farming and domesticating animals. They grew crops and raise the animals in the Fertile Crescent. This led to settled communities and villages, but also the rise of permanent settlements. -
Jericho became one of the earliest known cities. It had walls and a tower, showing advanced construction for that time. This settlement marked a significant development in human civilization. -
Was established in modern-day Turkey. It is one of the oldest and largest Neolithic settlements. The people there lived in closely paced houses and practiced agriculture and animal husbandry. -
Early humans began using copper for tools and ornaments, marking the transition from the Stone Age to the Copper Age. Copper tools represented a significant technological advancement, leading to the eventual use of bronze and iron in later civilizations. -
Sumerian civilization emerged in Mesopotamia and modern-day Iraq. They developed one of the first writing systems, cuneiform, and built impressive cities. The Sumerians made significant advances in mathematics, astronomy, and law. -
Developed in what is now Pakitan and northwest India. It featured advanced urban planning, with well-organized cities. The civilization is known for its sophisticated drainage systems and undeciphered script. -
Egypt was unified under the rule of its first pharaoh, marking the beginning of its theocratic system. The pharaoh was considered both a king and a god, centralizing religion and political power. This theocratic government helped establish a stable and enduring civilization. -
The annual flooding of the Nile River was crucial for ancient Egpyt. It deposited nutrient-rich silt along the riverbanks, making the eland incredibly fertile for agriculture. This natural event was so important that it influenced the Egyptian calendar and their entire way of life. -
Began around 2700 BCE lasting until 2200 BCE. This period is often referred to as the "Age of Pyramids" due to the construction of the famous pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Giza. The Old Kingdom was marked by strong centralized power, with the pharaohs exerting significant control over the land and its resources. -
Started around 2050 BCE and lasted until about 1650 BCE. It was a period of reunification and stability after the chaos of the First Intermediate Period. The Middle Kingdom is often seen as a golden age of literature, art, and architecture in ancient Egypt. -
Was established in ancient Mesopotamia by King Hammurabi of Babylon. It's one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length in the world. The code is famous for its "eye for an eye" principle and covers various aspects of daily life, from trade to family law. -
The Hittites, originating from Anatolia, became a dominant power in the ancient Near East. They are known for their advancements in ironworking and their military prowess, including the use of chariots in warfare. Their empire stretched across much of Anatolia and into parts of Syria and Mesopotamia. -
The Indus Valley civilization, including he cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, began to decline. The reasons for this fall are still debated, but theories include climate change, river shifts, and invasion. The once-thriving urban centers were eventually abandoned, making the end of this advanced civilization. -
The Zhou Dynasty began around 1046 BCE when the Zhou clan overthrew the Shang Dynasty. They introduced the Mandate of Heaven, which said their rule was divinely chosen. This period saw the rise of important philosophies like Confucianism and Daoism.