Egypt 3500 BCE
Ancient Egypt, one of the great civilizations of world history, is taking shape in the Nile Valley.

Subscribe for more great content – and remove ads
What is happening in Egypt in 3500BCE
The roots of Ancient Egypt
One of the great civilizations of world history, Ancient Egypt, is beginning to emerge in North Africa. As a prelude to this development, powerful chiefdoms are emerging along the middle Nile valley.
The Gift of the Nile
One of the main roles of these chiefdoms is to control the flood waters of the Nile, in order to irrigate the lands along the river banks effectively. Only thus can the fields be made fertile and the growing population of the Nile valley fed.
This is key to the development of Ancient Egyptian civilization, as it requires the proper co-ordination of the work of thousands of people, in building canals, dykes and digging irrigation channels. The chiefs therefore exercise a high degree of control over the lives of their subjects.
An emerging civilization
The chiefs are served by a hierarchy of officials and overseers, groups of people who are developing the skills – in record keeping, mathematics, engineering and management – which will over the coming centuries bring to fruition the magnificent achievements of the civilization of Ancient Egypt after it has become a unified country (c. 3000 BCE).
Next map, Ancient Egypt in 2500 BCE
While the civilization of Ancient Egypt is taking shape, another civilization has already emerged. By this date the Sumerians in Mesopotamia have developed the first true cities in history, and also the first proper writing system.
Subscribe for more great content – and remove ads
Subscribe for more great content – and remove ads
What else is happening in the rest of the world...

Africa history 3500BCE
Most of Africa is home to bands of hunter-gatherers, but in the Nile valley, the civilization of Egypt is beginning to emerge

Iraq history 3500BCE
The first city-based civilization in history is appearing in Mesopotamia

Europe history 3500BCE
Stone Age farming villages dot the landscape of Europe
What else is happening in the rest of the world...

Iran history 2500BCE
Iran is home to farmers and nomads

Syria history 2500BCE
The lands of Syria and Canaan are home to small cities and important trade routes

Turkey history 2500BCE
Trade is drawing Asia Minor into the orbit of Mesopotamian civilization
What else is happening in the rest of the world...

Iraq history 1500BCE
Powerful states such as Babylon and the Mitanni now rule Mesopotamia

Iran history 1500BCE
Iran is home to farmers and nomads

Syria history 1500BCE
Syria and Canaan are lands of small city-states and migrant nomads

Turkey history 1500BCE
The Hittite empire in Asia Minor is one of the leading powers of the age

Greece and the Balkans history 1500BCE
The first literate civilizations in European history flourish - the Minoan on Crete and the Mycenaean in Greece

North East Africa history 1500BCE
The influence of Egypt is beginning to be felt
What else is happening in the rest of the world...

Middle East history 1000BCE
Invasions have devastated the old centres of civilization, but important new developments, such as the use of iron, the appearance of the alphabet and the rise of Israel, with its monotheistic religion, have taken place

Europe history 1000BCE
Major population movements in Europe have caused widespread upheaval, and the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations have vanished

Africa history 1000BCE
Farming and cattle herding is spreading in western and central Africa
What else is happening in the rest of the world...

Europe history 200BCE
The Celts still dominate much of Europe, but a new power, Rome, is on the rise and is now the leading power in the western Mediterranean

Africa history 200BCE
Trade routes across the Sahara desert are being pioneered, while, to the south, Bantu farmers continue their swift expansion across the continent
What else is happening in the rest of the world...

Africa history 30BCE
North Africa is now part of the Roman empire, while in central Africa the Bantu expansion continues
What else is happening in the rest of the world...

Britain history 200CE
A Roman province now covers the southern half of the British Isles

Central Europe history 200CE
Central Europe is dominated by German and Sarmatian tribes

Africa history 200CE
All of North Africa is now part of the Roman empire, while to the south the Bantu migration continues
Lost your way? See a list of all maps
Subscribe for more great content – and remove ads