Timeline

Shang Dynasty Begins

16,000 BCE

The Shang Dynasty was the first dynasty to form in China. Located along the Yellow River, also called the birthplace of Chinese civilization, was the perfect place to start a civilization with easy access to water. Shang Dynasty was run by a series of about 30 kings over the span of 600 years

Paleolithic Age Ends

10,000 BCE

Homo habilis, Homo erectus, and Neanderthals wandered the earth at this point, living in caves and hunting and gathering. People would live in small nomadic groups. Crude tools like handaxes were at large.

Neolithic Age

Period: 10,000 BCE to 2500 BCE

The introduction of agriculture marked the start of the Neolithic Age, also known as the New Stone Age as people advanced. Most advancements were found in Mesopotamia.

Domestication of Animals

8000 BCE

The domestication of animals for food was widespread across most Neolithic cities. Animals such as sheep, goats, cattle, and possibly pigs were domesticated then. These animals played a crucial role in the survival of the human race.

Humans Started Settling Down

8000 BCE

People started coming together to settle down and create cities. At this point, practically every city was a farming village. Although cities were a big part of the world, some people still lived a nomadic life. most cities were found in the region in and around Mesopotamia.

Jiahu Culture Starts

7000 BCE

Jiahu is a civilization located along the Yellow river in China. Some of the first musical instruments were found here, these instruments were flutes made out of bone. This settlement also domesticated rice, which became very prominent in Chinese culture as China is the largest producer of rice today.

Pottery at Large

6000 BCE

Pottery was starting to be made commonly in Mesopotamia. Large pots were commonly used to carry water and store food. Pots would be decorated with incised lines and would also get fired. Occasionally pottery was used for ritual processes.

Trading

4500 BCE

There is evidence of people trading with each other in 4500 BCE, although many historians believe trading was going on thousands of years before what the evidence shows. People would primarily exchange pottery, stone tools, shells, decorative items, and more. Trade routes would go on for miles and sometimes would cross rivers.

Sumerians Make First Civilization in Mesopotamia

4000 BCE

The first civilization in the Mesopotamia region was the Sumerians. They lived in southern Mesopotamia between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. This civilization started a chain reaction of many different civilizations being built nearby.

Silk

3630 BCE

Silk was woven into fabric in China. This silk was essential to the Chinese because it was valued by the rich and became a good income for farmers. Harvested from silkworm cocoons, silk was made into clothes and was desired by many in China.

Beer

3500 BCE

Beer was invented in Mesopotamia. The people who made it would write about the process, meaning they were the first to make it often and with a process. This beer was made from fermented barley.

First Written Language

2900 BCE

Written language was found on stones in Mesopotamia. the language was called Sumerian, as, it was found in the Sumer region. Most written things were financial records, poetry, letters, and other texts

First Pyramid is Built

2550 BCE

The pyramid of Djoser was built in Giza for King Djoser. He was the first king of the 3rd Egyptian dynasty. This six step pyramid was not built simply as a grave for the king, but rather as a temple to help the king with the afterlife so he could be eternally reborn.

Beginning of the Bronze Age

2500 BCE

The bronze age was characterized by the usage of bronze tools. This period lasted for about 2000 years and started at different times around the world. The people living in Mesopotamia were the first to enter the bronze age.

Code of Hammurabi Made

1754 BCE

The Code of Hammurabi is the longest, best-organized, and best-preserved legal text. These laws were written on a tall cylindrical stone and placed in the middle of the city of Babylon. Unfortunately, a majority of the people living in Babylon could not read, so the text was only there for the upper-class people to read.

Iron Age Begins

1200 BCE

The iron age was characterized by the use of iron in various things. Things like iron sickles, jewelry, and steel weapons were made at large during this period. This period started at different times in different places.

Shang Dynasty Falls

1050 BCE

After existing for 600 years the Shang Dynasty ends after being conquered by the Zhou state. Leaders at this time in China were supposed to be a good example for their people, but the Shang Dynasty's final leader, King Jie of Xia, was said to be evil and they overthrew him.

Assyrians Take Over Sumeria

722 BCE

During the reign of Hoshea of Israel, Shalmaneser of Assyria invaded Israel and made it a vassal kingdom. Hoshea fought back against Shalmaneser and inevitably lost. At this time Assyria was expanding vastly.

Zhou Dynasty Falls

256 BCE

After 789 years the Zhou Dynasty is taken over. King Zhao of Qin conquered the Western part of the Zhou Dynasty. Zhao's grandson, King Zhuangxiang, conquered the eastern part of the Zhou Dynasty, ending the Zhou Dynasty.

Great Wall of China Built

220 BCE

Several walls were built years before they were all conjoined by the first empower of China, Qin Shi Huang. The wall was made to keep out nomadic people looking to invade. The wall stretches over 13,171 miles of mountains and rough land.