Timeline

Culture: March to Civilization Timeline

By Michael Alan Prestwood

From the first settlements to empires.

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March to Civilization: This timeline charts the touchstones of human progress from simple villages to advanced civilizations. While many animals collaborate in groups, humans have taken community and cooperation to unparalleled heights. As humanity evolved from tribes to villages, and eventually to bustling cities, essential cooperative skills were developed. This timeline not only highlights advancements in bartering and dispute resolution but also explores the emergence of verbal language, mathematics, basic logic, and belief systems. Each touchstone marks a significant leap in our ability to live lives enriched by complex social structures and cultural achievements, illustrating how cooperation has been central to our success as a species.

March to Civilization: Societal Touchstones

Great Apes: Medicine Emerges

18 Million Years Ago, ± 3 million years

Causal reasoning, Early prefrontal integration

Transition from Trees to Savannah Begins

Beginning about 9 million years ago, our ancestors began evolving from forests to savannahs over about 7 million years. By about 2 mya, our ancestors were fully bipedal carrying things like stone axes and sticks for hunting and fighting off animals.

9 Million Years Ago

Enhanced spatial mapping and endurance planning

Early Wood tools

Imagined Image: The evolution of wooden tool use by early hominins. A walking stick around 3.3 million years ago, aiding mobility and providing defense. Small, sharpened sticks used for intricate tasks like termite extraction around 2.6 million years ago. Spears and digging sticks around 1.76 million years ago, vital for hunting and foraging. Advanced wooden constructs such as shelter frames and simple rafts emerge around 500,000 years ago. Hafted tools with stone-tipped spears around 300,000 years ago.

3.4 Million Years Ago

cognitive sequencing + motor precision + future modeling

Early Stone Tools

3.3 Million BCE (Hominins)

Prefrontal Cortex Expansion, Internal 3D modeling

Collective Learning Emerges

Collective learning, where a parent teaches a child, started long before primates, but something like our modern approach to showing our young how to live likely started about 3 million years ago, perhaps wit a species like australopithecus in a place like Kenya, Africa.

3.3 Million Years Ago

First Proto-Containers

Imagined Image: A collection of early hominin tools and natural containers showing primitive ingenuity. Items like this may have been used as early as 2 million years ago. From left to right: 1) A large leaf used to carry figs, symbolizing the earliest forms of portable storage. 2) A large shell serving as a collector of small items, highlighting the use of found objects for gathering. 3) A naturally hollowed-out piece of wood filled with root vegetables, demonstrating the use of natural formations as functional tools. 4) A piece of animal hide displaying simple tools like flint and a sharpened stick, illustrating the early development of tool-making and preparation skills.

2 Million Years Ago

Olduvai Gorge Site: A Glimpse into Early Organizational Behavior

Step back 800,000 years to the lush landscapes of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, where early humans pioneered the art of tool-making. This vivid scene captures a bustling workshop set among distinctive tuff cones and sedimentary pillars. Observe groups of early Homo species as they skillfully craft stone tools.

2 Million Years Ago (Up to about 15,000 years ago)

Emergence of Early Hominin Shelters

Imagined image: three types of early shelters that Homo erectus might have constructed. 1) Simple Lean-to: Made from branches and large leaves, providing basic protection against elements. 2) Structured Windbreak: Constructed with tightly packed branches and possibly covered with animal hides for better insulation. 3) Rudimentary Hut-like Structure: Using interwoven branches and vines, with a base of large stones to anchor it.

1.8 Million Years Ago (+/- 500,000 years)

Seasonal Settlements at Zhoukoudian site

Imagined image: Homo erectus around a communal fire pit, a similar setting to Zhoukoudian, circa 770,000 BCE.

770,000 BCE

from circa 770,000 BCE to circa 5700 BCE

Hominin World Population: 2 Million (speculative)

Imagined image depicting diverse hominin species roaming Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, circa 700,000 BCE.

700,000 BCE

Highly speculative. Based on rational analysis of the great apes.

Full Emotional Intelligence Emerges

700,000 Years Ago

First Clothes: Proto-Clothing and the Advent of Garments

Imagined image depicting the evolution of early clothing among hominins. The image starts with a Homo erectus wearing very simple proto-clothing, such as basic animal skins or a simple decorative element like a bone or shell necklace. Progressing through the scene, an earlier Homo heidelbergensis or Homo antecessor is shown with slightly more advanced but still rudimentary clothing.

600,000 Years Age

Transcendental Intelligence Emerges

475,000 Years Ago

Terra Amata Site, France

Imagined imaged of the 400,000-year-old structure likely built by Homo heidelbergensis in France located on the coast at the Terra Amata site in Nice, France. The shelter is estimated to be around 4-5 meters (13-16 feet) wide and 6-7 meters (20-23 feet) long. It's believed to have been constructed using a simple framework of wooden posts, with branches and leaves used to create a roof and walls.

circa 400,000 Years Ago

Nice, France

Hominin World Population: 2 Million (maybe)

300,000 BCE

Very speculative.

Seasonal Settlements at Klasies River Caves

125,000 BCE

125,000 to 60,000 BCE

Blombos Cave Engravings

"<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110908714" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blombo</a>" by Chris S. Henshilwood is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>

75,000 BCE

World Population: 1.5 Million

By 70,000 BCE

Oldest Known Bracelet

70,000 BCE

2,880 Generations Ago

The Sentinelese people on North Sentinel Island

The Sentinelese show that the modern human brain was fully evolved by at least 50,000 years ago.

70,000 BCE

circa 60 to 70 thousand BCE

Cuban Underwater City: More Research Needed

50,000 BCE

Speculative: 20 to more than 50 thousand years ago.

Upper Paleolithic Cave Art with Symbols

"<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/50193753@N02/5961953059" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lascaux II - Hall of The Bulls</a>" by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/50193753@N02" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Adibu456</a> is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CC BY-NC 2.0</a>

circa 40,000 BCE

Spain & France

Bone Flute

38,000 BCE

38,000 to 33,000 BCE

Czeck: Dolní Věstonice Community

Around 30,000 years ago, the Dolní Věstonice community in the Czech Republic thrived. They built huts from mammoth bones and animal hides, crafted ceramic figurines, and engaged in hunting and daily activities.

30,000 BCE

29 to 32 thousand years ago.

Sunghir Burial Site

30,000 BCE

32,000 Years Ago

Advanced Sewing Needles

28,000 BCE

28,000 to 21,000 BCE

Earliest Known Domesticated Animal: Dogs

Wolf-to-dog: same species, dogs are a subspecies

Wolves were domesticated between 15 to 40 thousand BCE and evolved to a subspecies. Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are generally considered the same species as wolves (Canis lupus) but are classified as a subspecies.

By 20,000 BCE

Seasonal Settlements at Franchthi Cave

20,000 BCE

From circa 20,000 to 3,000 BCE

Ukraine: Mezhyrich Community

Mezhyrich archaeological site, 15 to 20 thousand years ago.

18,000 BCE

15 to 20 Thousand Years Agao

Seasonal Settlements at Monte Verde

circa 14,800 BCE

World Population: 4 Million

10,000 BCE

Estimates range from 2 to 5 million

Jericho Founded

St Geaorge Monastery Desert

9000 BCE

Mexico: Guilá Naquitz (Agrarian)

circa 8000 BCE

Americas Agrarian Society

Egypt: Nabta Playa (Agrarian)

circa 7500 BCE

Middle East Agrarian Society

Fuxi (伏羲)

Fuxi, showing multiple possible portraits representing what Fuxi might have looked like. The scene includes ancient Chinese architecture, cultural elements, and symbols of his contributions, such as the creation of humanity, the invention of writing, and teaching people to fish and hunt.

Circa 8000-7000 BCE

Nüwa (女娲)

Nüwa, showing multiple possible portraits representing what Nüwa might have looked like. The scene includes ancient Chinese architecture, cultural elements, and symbols of her contributions, such as the creation of mankind and repairing the pillar of heaven.

Circa 8000-7000 BCE

Greece: Sesklo Culture (Agrarian)

circa 7500 BCE

Europe/Mediterranean Agrarian Society

Neolithic Symbols: China

Potential earliest writing in Asian zone: the Oracle Bone Script is oldest confirmed symbols. Scientists are still going through a process to verify whether they are proto-writing or a writing system. If we can discover some intermediate links, we can firm up these symbols as early writing.

7000 BCE

7000-6001 BCE

China: Jiahu Settlement (Agrarian)

Imagined image: This panoramic image presents the Jiahu Settlement around 7000 BCE, capturing a vibrant Neolithic village in Henan, China. It features typical mud and wood homes with thatched roofs, nestled in a lush landscape where inhabitants are engaged in the early cultivation of rice, illustrating the dawn of agriculture in ancient China.

circa 7000 BCE

Asia Agrarian Society

New Guinea: Kuk Early Agricultural Site (Agrarian)

circa 7000 BCE

Oceana-Australasia Agrarian Society

Atlit Yam Neolithic Village

"<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/149617375@N05/31523297470" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">megalithic-atlit-yam</a>" by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/149617375@N05" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">dionisosolympian</a> is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CC PDM 1.0</a>

6900 to 6300 BCE

Origins over 9,000 Years Ago

Oldest Known Flute in China

6,000 BCE

Dispilio Tablet: European Proto-Writing

This ancient wooden tablet, etched with intricate symbols, dates back over 7,000 years, making it one of the oldest examples of proto-writing ever found.

circa 5,260 BCE

7,260 Years Ago

Vinor Circular Building: a roundel

Roundel, the Vinor Circular Building, featuring a modest height typical of Neolithic construction, a thatched roof, and entrances appropriate for the time. The image includes a cutaway to reveal the interior details.

4900 BCE

Up to 7,900 Years Ago (Neolithic)

Proto-Inca People

Pre-Inca People Village Around 4000 BCE: A hunter-gatherer village in the Andean highlands, depicting daily activities and simple huts harmoniously integrated with the mountainous terrain.

circa 4500 BCE

6,500 Years Ago

4004 BCE, The Bible’s Earth Creation Date

4,004 BCE

Sunday, October 23, 4004 BCE

Proto-Olmec People

Pre-Olmec People Village Around 3000 BCE: A depiction of a hunter-gatherer village with simple huts, showcasing the daily activities and harmony with nature in a tropical environment.

4000 BCE

6,000 Years Ago

3761 BCE, Judaic Earth Creation Date

3761 BCE

Proto-Maya People

Pre-Mayan People Village Around 3000 BCE: A hunter-gatherer camp with natural-material huts, illustrating the communal lifestyle and activities in a tropical forest environment.

circa 3500 BCE

5,500 Years Ago

Cuneiform Writing

3400 BCE

3400 BCE to 100 CE (end of use for scholarly work)

3114 BCE: Mayan Earth Creation Date

3114 BCE

August 11, 3114 BCE

Oldest Known Dice: Skara Brae

3100 BCE

By 5,100 Years Ago

World Population: 15 Million

3000 BCE

Estimates range from 9 to 16 million

Fuente Magna Bowl: Forgery or Real?

"<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77550391" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bed965fdf8aa813b97735ea21a0e3cfc(1)</a>" by none is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>

3000 BCE

South America: 5,000 Years Ago

Shennong (神农)

Shennong showing multiple possible portraits representing what Shennong might have looked like. The scene includes ancient Chinese architecture, cultural elements, and symbols of his contributions, such as teaching agriculture and herbal medicine, set against a harmonious landscape with fields, crops, medicinal plants, and early farming practices.

circa 2800 BCE

The Divine Farmer

Gilgamesh, circa 2700 BCE

King of Uruk

Indus Valley Script: Northwest India

"<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5243844" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">File:Indus seal impression.jpg</a>" by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:IndusValleySeals.JPG" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">PHGCOM IndusValleySeals.JPG</a> is licensed under <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>

circa 2600 BCE

Mayans Emerge

Mayan Society in Their Heyday: A vibrant Mayan city after 1000 BCE, with towering pyramids, temples, and rich cultural activities set in lush tropical surroundings.

Around 2000 BCE

4,000 Years Ago

Cretan Hieroglyphic script: Greek Island

"<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=141943738" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Phaistos Disc - Side B - 6381 - crop1</a>" by <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:C_messier" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">C messier, edit by Bammesk</a> is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>

1900 BCE

from circa 1900 BCE to 1700 BCE

Olmec Society Emerges

A bustling Olmec city after 1600 BCE, featuring large stone heads, pyramids, and vibrant daily life activities amidst lush tropical vegetation.

Around 1600 BCE

3,600 Year Ago

Oracle Bone Script: China

1250 BCE

Olmec Hieroglyphs: Mexico

900 BCE

From before 900 BCE to 400 BCE.

Inca Society Emerges

Inca Society in Their Heyday: A bustling Inca city after 1400 CE, featuring stone buildings, terraced fields, and vibrant cultural life set in the lush Andes mountains.

Around 1200 CE

Printing Press Invented