The World's 10 Oldest Ancient Civilizations

Mesopotamian Civilization

• Era: 3500 BC–500 BC
• Location: Ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq)
• Notable Achievements: Invention of the wheel

Indus Valley Civilization

• Era: 3300 BC–1900 BC
• Location: South Asia (modern-day Pakistan and northwest India)
• Notable Achievements: The first people to domesticate Cotton

Egyptian Civilization

• Era: 3150 BC–30 BC
• Location: Nile River Valley of Egypt
• Notable Achievements: The Great Pyramids

Mayan Civilization

• Era: 2600 BC–900 AD
• Location: Central America
• Notable Achievements: science of astronomy, calendar systems and hieroglyphic writing

Chinese Civilization

• Era: 1600 BC–1046 BC
• Location: Yellow River region of northern China
• Notable Achievements: Invention of paper and silk

Greek Civilization

• Era: 2700 BC– 479 BC
• Location: Greece
• Notable Achievements: Concepts of democracy and the Senate, the Olympics

Persian Civilization

• Era: 550 BC – 331 BC
• Location: Modern-day Iran
• Notable Achievements: The world's first postal service

Roman Civilization

• Era: 550 BC– 465 AD
• Location: Rome
• Notable Achievements: Roman Numerals

Aztec Civilization

• Era: 1345 AD –1521 AD
• Location: Mexico
• Notable Achievements: Floating Gardens

Incan Civilization

• Era: 1438 AD–1532 AD
• Location: modern-day southern Peru
• Notable Achievements: Machu Picchu (one of the New 7 Wonders of the Modern World)