Time line

By Jimeoveja
  • 15,000 BCE

    Human Migration to the Americas via the Bering Land Bridge •

    Human Migration to the Americas via the Bering Land Bridge •
    Early humans cross the Bering Land Bridge from Asia to North America, eventually spreading throughout the Americas.
  • 12,000 BCE

    End of the Last Ice Age and Human Migration •

    End of the Last Ice Age and Human Migration •
    The last Ice Age ends, causing sea levels to rise and changing climates.
    This event helps shape human migration patterns as people begin moving to new regions
  • Period: 9000 BCE to 7000 BCE

    Domestication of Teosinte into Corn

    Before the Mesoamerican civilizations even began, people started turning wild teosinte into
    maize, which became a very important crop.
  • 3500 BCE

    Rise of Mesopotamian Civilization

    Rise of Mesopotamian Civilization
    The first cities and writing systems appeared in southern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq)
    with the Sumerians.
  • 3500 BCE

    Invention of Writing and Beginning of Recorded History •

    Invention of Writing and Beginning of Recorded History •
    Writing is invented in Mesopotamia (cuneiform), marking the start of recorded history. This event divides "Prehistory" (before writing) from "History" after writing.
  • 3100 BCE

    Development of Egyptian Hieroglyphs and Cuneiform Writing

    Development of Egyptian Hieroglyphs and Cuneiform Writing
    • circa 3,200 BCE: Egyptians create one of the earliest writing systems, hieroglyphics, used for religious texts and official records.
    • circa 3,100 BCE: The Sumerians in Mesopotamia develop cuneiform writing, the first known system of writing, which was initially used for keeping records, such as trade transactions, and later for legal documents and literature
  • 3000 BCE

    First Four River Valley Civilizations •

    First Four River Valley Civilizations •
    Civilizations develop along major rivers: Mesopotamia (Tigris and Euphrates), Egypt (Nile), the Indus Valley, and China (Yellow River). Rivers provide fertile land and resources, essential for sustaining these early societies.
    First was Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, in second place Indus Valley and finally China
  • 2550 BCE

    Construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza •

    Construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza •
    The Great Pyramid of Giza is built during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu in Ancient Egypt. It remains one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
  • 2500 BCE

    Start of the Preclassic Period (Olmec Civilization in Mesoamerica)

    Start of the Preclassic Period (Olmec Civilization in Mesoamerica)
    In Mesoamerica, early complex societies began to form, setting the stage for later cultures.
  • Period: 2334 BCE to 2154 BCE

    Akkadian Empire in Mesopotamia

    Sargon of Akkad established one of the world’s first empires, uniting many Mesopotamian
    city-states.
  • 2000 BCE

    Flourishing of Babylonian Culture (Mesopotamia)

    Flourishing of Babylonian Culture (Mesopotamia)
    Babylon grew as an important center of culture and law, famous later for Hammurabi’s Code.
  • 1200 BCE

    Civilizations in the Andes •

    Civilizations in the Andes •
    The Chavín culture develops in the Andes, later followed by the Moche (100-
    700 CE) and Inca
  • 950 BCE

    The Maya Civilization Flourishes •

    The Maya Civilization Flourishes •
    The Maya develop a complex society with city-states, hieroglyphic writing, and achievements in astronomy and mathematics.
  • 776 BCE

    First Olympic Games in Ancient Greece

    First Olympic Games in Ancient Greece
    This traditional date marks the beginning of Greek cultural events and athletic competitions.
  • 539 BCE

    Fall of Babylon (Mesopotamia)

    Fall of Babylon (Mesopotamia)
    Babylon was conquered by Cyrus the Great of Persia, marking the end of Babylonian
    independence
  • Period: 490 BCE to 479 BCE

    Greco-Persian Wars (Ancient Greece)

    Greek city-states united to defend their lands against Persian invasions, an important
    chapter in Greek history.
  • Period: 480 BCE to 323 BCE

    Classical Period of Ancient Greece

    This “Golden Age” saw great achievements in art, philosophy, and politics in Greece.
  • 323 BCE

    Death of Alexander the Great (Beginning of the Hellenistic Period)

    Death of Alexander the Great (Beginning of the Hellenistic Period)
    Alexander’s passing led to the spread of Greek culture across a vast area, starting the
    Hellenistic era.
  • 146 BCE

    Fall of Ancient Greece to Rome

    Fall of Ancient Greece to Rome
    After a series of conflicts, Rome conquered Greece, bringing an end to Greek political
    independence
  • 1 CE

    Beginning of the Classic Period (Mesoamerica)

    Beginning of the Classic Period (Mesoamerica)
    Large cities and centralized states like Teotihuacan and Monte Albán flourished in
    Mesoamerica.
  • 900

    Start of the Postclassic Period (Mesoamerica)

    Start of the Postclassic Period (Mesoamerica)
    New cultures emerged, such as the Toltecs, Mayan kingdoms, and the Mexica (Aztec)
    Empire
  • 1521

    Spanish Conquest of Mesoamerica

    Spanish Conquest of Mesoamerica
    The arrival of Spanish forces led to major changes and the end of indigenous state systems
    in the region