• Middle East 3500 BC

Farming has been established for thousands of years in the Middle East, and in the river valleys of ancient Mesopotamia the first true civilization in the history of mankind is appearing, that of the Sumerians.

The Sumerians live in large communities of many thousands of people - the first cities. Along with many other advances they are developing the techniques of writing, on which most future human progress will depend.

A second civilization is also beginning to emerge, in Egypt.

Related Articles:
The World of the Hunter Gatherers
Ancient Mesopotamia

Related Timelines:
Timeline of World History

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