Which of the Civilizations of Antiquity came first?

It is believed that Early civilizations of antiquity Emerged during the Neolithic , Although it is true that it is difficult to certify if this statement is true and to what extent Lower Mesopotamia can be considered as the cradle of civilization.

The word"civilization"is a rather complex term that is used in diverse contexts and, therefore, is susceptible varied interpretations.

In many cases, it is considered that the birth of civilization as we know it today was due in large part to the passage of nomadism to Sedentary lifestyle , Which was possible thanks to the development of agriculture.

However, other historians believe that the invention of writing, or of an ideographic system of communication, was the event that gave rise to complex civilizations.

Origin of ancient civilizations

Civilization and the sedentarismo

Taking into account the first statement, which indicates that civilization is born with sedentarism, it can be said that civilizations existed during the Neolithic period (Stone Age) and during the Chalcolithic period (the Copper Age).

This is because during these two stages humans settled in semi-sedentary societies.

East Asia

Çatalhöyük (Turkey)

In Jericho, Ein Us Sultan, an archaeological site, dates back to 8000 BC, and is composed of a group of walls and towers.

This citadel was abandoned in 6800 BC. Of similar stage we find Çatalhöyük (in Turkey), that exists since the year 7500 a.C.

In the Indian subcontinent

Mehrgarh (in Pakistan) is an establishment that exists from the year 7000 a.C, being considered the origin of the civilization of the Indus Valley.

Civilizations and writing

These establishments gave way to the birth of more complex cultures, with societies organized in classes, with systems of spoken and written language. It is here that civilizations are born according to the second conception of historians.

In Mesopotamia , Nowadays Iraq, the Sumerian civilization was born in the year 6500 BC. For the year 4100 BC They had already developed writing.

In Egypt , There is evidence that shows the presence of the civilization from the year 6500 a. C. The writing appeared in the year 4000 a.C.

In India , The culture of the Indus Valley, there are samples of a highly developed trading system from the year 4300 BCE, which means that civilization emerged long before this year.

conclusion

It is difficult to determine which of the ancient civilizations arose first since the data thrown by the archaeological excavations are not conclusive.

This is because there are continually found objects that allow updating information on the date of birth of these civilizations.

While ancient civilizations existed in ancient Mesopotamia in AD 6500, many historians claim that this was not the first civilization in the history of mankind or, at least, it was not the only one to emerge at this time.

The presence of a highly developed trading system in the Indus Valley society proves that, indeed, the people of Mesopotamia were not civilized before the people of India; In any case, these civilizations could have arisen simultaneously.

References

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2. What is the oldest civilization on Earth? Retrieved on May 31, 2017, from quora.com.
3. First Civilizations: Mesopotamia and Egypt. Retrieved on May 31, 2017, from historiasiglo20.org.
4. Prehistory. Retrieved on May 31, 2017, from newworldencyclopedia.org.
5. 10 Oldest Ancient Civilizations Ever Existed. Retrieved on May 31, 2017, from ancienthistorylists.com.
6. 10 of the World's Oldest Known Civilizations. Retrieved on May 31, 2017, from historylists.org.
7. World History Timeline. Retrieved on May 31, 2017, from essential-humanities.net.