Overview of Human History

Introduction

• Broad overview of human history presented using timeline chart.
• Available as a poster from usefulcharts.com.
• Focus on dividing history into time periods and highlighting turning points.

Understanding the Timeline Chart

• Vertical Scale:

  • Represents flow of time.
  • Time moves forward as you go down the page.
  • Each white line = 100 years, equidistant scale allows for accurate comparisons.

• Horizontal Sections:

  • Different regions: Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, Pacific Islands.
  • Lines represent cultures/civilizations; width indicates relative importance.

Key Terminology

• AD/BC and CE/BCE:
  • AD stands for "Anno Domini" (in the year of our Lord).
  • BC means "Before Christ"; note: Jesus likely born in 4 BC.
  • No year zero; 1 BC directly followed by 1 AD.
  • CE (Common Era) and BCE (Before Common Era) are increasingly used for neutrality.

Starting Point of History

• 3300 BCE: Emergence of writing marks the line between history and prehistory.
  • Prehistory extends back 200,000 years (Homo sapiens) and 4.5 billion years (Earth's history).

Time Periods in History

1. Early Bronze Age

   • Coincided with the appearance of writing.
   • Major civilizations: Egypt, Sumer (modern-day Iraq), Indus Valley (modern-day Pakistan).
   • Sumerians invented the wheel, plow, sail, astronomy, and mathematics.
   • Egypt constructed the Great Pyramids.
   • Norte Chico civilization in Peru had large structures but no writing.

2. Bronze Age

   • Marked by the 4.2 kiloyear event (around 2200 BCE), leading to the decline of major civilizations.
   • New cultures emerged (Middle and New Kingdom in Egypt, Babylonian civilization, Indo-Aryans in South Asia).
   • Other civilizations arose in China, Sub-Saharan Africa, North America (Poverty Point culture), and the Minoans in Europe.

3. Iron Age

   • Began around 1200 BCE with the collapse of major civilizations; also marks the beginning of iron usage in the Middle East.
   • Greek Dark Ages followed; many legendary tales originated during this period.

4. Classical Antiquity

   • Starts around 600 BCE with more historical records available, led by Greek historian Herodotus.
   • Major civilizations: Greeks and Romans shaped Western Civilization.
   • Global advancements included Mayan culture in Mesoamerica, Persian Empires, Maurya and Gupta Empires in India, and early Chinese dynasties.
   • Emergence of trade routes (Silk Road) and foundational philosophical and moral writings.

5. Middle Ages

   • Time between ancient and modern history, often mistakenly referred to as Dark Ages, mainly in Western Europe.
   • Characterized by migrations (Huns, Germanic tribes) leading to the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
   • Other regions like the Middle East and China experienced growth.
   • Emergence of major powers in Africa (Mali Empire, Great Zimbabwe), and significant North American cities (Cahokia, pueblos).
   • Mongol Empire became the largest land empire.

6. Modern Age

   • Transition marked by the Black Death, leading to the Renaissance and renewed interest in classical art/philosophy.
   • European colonization of the Americas and significant scientific advancements.
   • Industrial Revolution and ongoing technological advancements.

Conclusion

• Notable similarities in transitions between time periods (climate events, migrations, pandemics).
• Current events (2020) prompt questions about entering a new historical period.

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• Feedback and comments encouraged.