River Valley Civilizations

Mehrgarh Culture in India

7000 BCE

Mehrgarh is a significant site of the Neolithic Age. It is also one of the oldest sites that show the concept of farming and herding. Mahrgarh on located on the Kachi Plain in the western Indus River Valley. This period lasted from 7000 B.C. to 3300 B.C.
http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-history/timeline.html

Creation of the Wheel in Mesopotamia

3500 BCE

Mesopotamian people are credited with the invention of the wheel. The wheel was created for a pottery instead of transportation.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/a-salute-to-the-wheel-31805121/

Civilization in Mesopotamia

3200 BCE

The first Sumerian cities emerged in the southern part of Mesopotamia. They had little resources and building materials, but they still managed with what they had.

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Invention of Writing in Mesopotamia

3200 BCE

The Mesopotamia people developed the first form of writing. It was called cuneiform and was made by making marks on clay tablets. This allowed them to communicate with each other.
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Unification of Egypt

3100 BCE

Upper and Lower Egypt unite to form a single kingdom. This marks the beginning of Egyptian civilization. The first dynasty comes to power.
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=aa28

Egyptian Hieroglyphics

3000 BCE

Egyptian hieroglyphics were a picture form of writing. It consisted of hundreds of symbols and was first discovered in tombs and on buildings. Hieroglyphics allowed the Egyptians to communicate through writing.
http://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/ancient-egyptian-hieroglyphics.html

Egypt's Old Kingdom Begins

2700 BCE

The Old Kingdom begins in Egypt. Rulers of this kingdom begin building giant pyramids to serve as their tombs.
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First Indian Civilization

2500 BCE

The fist Indian civilization emerged in the the Indus River Valley which is now present day Pakistan. This civilization was around for 1000 years then disappeared.
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Sargon Invades Mesopotamia

2300 BCE

Sargon, the ruler of Akkad, invaded and took control of the city-states of Sumer. He built the first empire in history.
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Xia Dynasty of China

2070 BCE

The Xia Dynasty took control of China. This dynasty is the first dynasty recorded in ancient Chinese historical chronicles. This dynasty ruled form 2070 B.C. to 1600 B.C.
http://www.ancient.eu/china/

Babylon Takes Control of Mesopotamia

1790 BCE

The Babylon King, Hammurabi, took control of most of Mesopotamia. He tried to unite the Babylon Empire. His most recognized accomplish was the creation f the set of laws known as the Code of Hammurabi.
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India's Decline of Life

1750 BCE

The quality of life began to decline in India. This could have happened due to damage to the local environment, too many trees being cut down, a volcanic eruption, or an earthquake. There sin't a definite reason for the decline in the quality of life.
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The Middle Kingdom Catastrophe in Egypt

1700 BCE

The Hyksos invade Egypt during the Middle Kingdom and occupied the delta region.They taught the Egyptians about horse- drawn war chariots. The Hyksos adapted to the Egyptian customs, beliefs, and names.
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Shang Dynasty in China

1650 BCE

The Chinese people known as the Shang took control of Northern China along the Huang He. During the rule of the Shang, Chinese civilizations began to take place.
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Writing in China

1600 BCE

Writing was developed in China during the Shang rule. This system consisted of pictures and signs. The earliest form of writing was known as the Oracle Bones. Shang priests wrote questions for the gods or deceased ancestors on animal bones or turtle shells. After writing the Questions, the priests heated the bones until they cracked.

http://www.ancient.eu/Chinese_Writing/

Egypt Begins the New Kingdom

1570 BCE

Ahmose I initiated the New Kingdom period. This period saw great prosperity in the land and a strong central government.
http://www.ancient.eu/egypt/

The Vedic Age in India

1500 BCE

The Aryans migrated into present day India, but left no cities, statues, or stone seals. The information about them comes form the Vedas, which is a collection of religious prayers and hymns. The period of time from 1500 B.C.- 500 B.C. is know as the Vedic Age. During this time the Aryans were warriors fought on chariots with bows and arrows. They loved music, games, and food. They valued cattle to provide them food and clothes. Eventually they became settled farmers.
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Ramses ll Rule of Egypt

1290 BCE

Ramses ll came to power. He pushed Egyptian rule northward near Syria. He created monuments for himself and bragged about his accomplishments. He was in power for 67 years.
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Mesopotamia Uses Iron

1250 BCE

Mesopotamia discovered iron. They used it to build stronger chariots and weapons.
http://www.softschools.com/timelines/mesopotamia_timeline/86/

The Zhou Dynasty of China

1027 BCE

The Zhou people marched from their kingdom to overthrow the Shang. They were successful and gained control over the Shang Kingdom. They would then rule China until 256 B.C.
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Silk Production in China

1000 BCE

The Chinese discovered how to make silk form the cocoons of silkworms. This led to the Chinese harvesting silkworms and the Mulberry Tress they fed on. Women were responsible for processing the cocoons into thread. The threads were woven into cloth and colored with dyes. Only nobles and royalty could afford silk clothing. Silk became China's most valuable export and led to the creation of the Silk Road.
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Change and Expansion in India

800 BCE

The Aryans spread to colonize the Ganges basin. They learned to make tools form iron. Using their newly made iron tools, they created farms and villages in the northern rain forest. Leader fought to control the northern plains.
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Persian Rule of Mesopotamia

539 BCE

The Persian Empire captured the land of Mesopotamia from the Babylon Empire. This led the Persians to take control over the largest empire yet. The Persian leaser Dariu who ruled from 522B.C.-486 B.C., unified the land, created a new system of laws, built roads, improved trade, and encouraged the use of coins.
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Advances in India

500 BCE

Another Indian civilization emerged consisting of many kingdoms. By this time Indian people had developed a written language known as Sanskrit to communicate with. This also allowed priests to write down sacred texts.
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Iron Working in China

500 BCE

Iron working knowledge spread to China. Iron axes and ox- drawn plows replaced stone, wood , and bronze tools. This allowed farmers to produce more food. Peasants began growing soybeans.
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The Great Wall of China

221 BCE

Shi Huangdi united China. He had the Great Wall built to keep out invaders.
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