Unit 1

Domestication of Rice in the Yangtze river valley

6000 BCE

Farmers in ancient China began controlling rice. This advancement in agriculture supported population growth. This made the Yangtze river valley civilization the best in China at the time.

Rise of Sumerian city-states

4000 BCE

City-states started to emerge in mesopotamia. cities were centers of trade, religion and government. it was one of the earliest versions of civilization with things we use today.

Invention of the Wheel

3499 BCE

Mesopotamians invented the wheel, initially for pottery and later on for transportation. This innovation revolutionized agriculture, trade and warfare. It was a turning point for humans in technological development.

Bronze Era

3300 BCE

In the Indus Valley, the finding of bronze metal allowed for new uses of this metal for the people. It helped them in trade, combat and agriculture. This era marked the end of the neolithic time.

Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt

3100 BCE

King Narmer unified upper and lower egypt, creating the first unified state in the process. This was the beginning of the early dynastic period and it established the city of Memphis as the capital. symbolized the start of organized governance and the development of a distinct Egyptian culture.

Invention of Sumer Writing

3096 BCE

developed the cuneiform, first ever writing system. used to keep track of things. allowed for preservation of written records from that time.

Development of Irrigation Systems

3000 BCE

Mesopotamia made canals to manage the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This helped agriculture develop faster and helped the people of the city. This showed how quickly the people were adapting to their area.

Papyrus

3000 BCE

Egyptians started using a plant called papyrus as a writing material. This allowed them to communicate in a different way for them. This helped knowledge and culture spread across egypt.

Solar Calendar

2700 BCE

Egyptians developed a 365 day calendar based on the solar year. it was used to predict flooding of the Nile. This innovation showcased their knowledge of time understanding.

Old Kingdom

2686 BCE

The Old Kingdom is properly represented by the building of pyramids. It was ruled by Pharaohs and was the origin for administration under one being. This time period laid the foundation of current Egyptian culture.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

2560 BCE

Pharaoh Khufu was an advocate for the construction of the Great Pyramid. It symbolized comprehension for communication and construction for their time. It served as a tomb for Pharaohs and their riches.

Mohenjo-Daro

2500 BCE

This was a major city in the Indus Valley. it had modern day amenities, such as grid patterned streets and drainage systems. This city highlighted the engineering skills of the Indus Valley Civilization

Rise of the Akkadian Empire

2335 BCE

Sargon of Akkad united many Mesopotamian city-states to create the world's first empire. This was the first time a single being controlled a vast territory. The Akkadian Empire facilitated trade and cultural exchange across the region.

Construction of Ziggurats

2100 BCE

Ziggurats were massive temple complexes. They served as religious centers and were believed to connect earth to the heavens. These showcased the architectural advancements and religious devotion of Mesopotamian societies.

Beginning of the Xia Dynasty

2070 BCE

The Xia Dynasty, often regarded as the first Chinese dynasty, was established by the yellow river. it is associated with early state formation and Flood control. This marked the start of hierarchical societies.

Downfall of the Indus Valley

1900 BCE

Climate change, over usage of natural resources and potentially even invasions led to the downfall of the Indus Valley civilization. Cities like Mohenjo-Daro were abandoned. This marked the end of one of the earliest urbanized civilizations in the world.

Code of Hammurabi

1753 BCE

King Hammurabi of Babylon made one of the earliest law codes of all time. It was written on a stele and had a main focal point of justice. It was believed by many that Hammurabi got these laws straight from conversations with the gods, which made many believe it.

Iron Era

1200 BCE

Iron tools began being used over bronze ones. This switch improved agricultural efficiency and military capabilities. It helped reshape ancient societies.

Shang Dynasty

1046 BCE

The Shang Dynasty in China mastered bronze casting for tools, weapons and ceremonial vessels. This innovation reflected the power of China back then. It also marked technological advancement in eastern Asia.

Assyrian Empire

900 BCE

The Assyrian Empire in Mesopotamia, known for its military strength and administrative efficiency. It started advanced siege techniques and established a centralized bureaucracy. It marked the height of imperial expansion in the ancient Near East.