A short timeline for the history of the world

History, which covers human activities, begins with prehistory, the age before written records, which lasted until about 5000 years ago. The next period, which we might describe as the period before the modern era, includes the bronze and iron ages and the development of civilisations. The modern era includes the latter part of the Roman period up to modern times.

Prehistory

The story of the world begins Modern humans evolved about 30000 years ago and replaced other human species. The palaeolithic era endured through successive ice ages and lasted until about 10000 years ago, during which time tools made of stone, bone wood or antler, and humans lived as hunter-gatherers. No major events are recorded. The palaeolithic evolved into the mesolithic, which saw the beginnings of domestication of animals. Neolithic times The neolithic period, starting about 5000 B.C. saw improved stone technology and the growth of agriculture. During this time, population rose and society became more complex. Large megalithic structures such as stone circles began to be built. Grain growing gave rise to bread, which became a staple.

The period B.C.

Between 3000 and 4000 B.C., urban civilisations developed, with major centres in Egypt, Mesopotamia, China and India. In this period, writing was invented and large scale urban construction occurred. Trade developed along land and sea routes. Metalworking with bronze, iron and copper developed during this period. The great religions arose in this period. Hinduism began to develop about two thousand B.C., Judaism (and therefore bible history) about 1600, and Buddhism about 600 B.C. Their holy books evolved over the period of time from their beginning until 150 common era. Significant developments occurred in the last century B.C. with the growth of Greek civilisation, which made vast developments in the arts and philosophy. During this time, Indian, Iranian and Chinese civilisations were thriving. Sophisticated cultures in Africa, such as Ethiopia, were producing works of art and some interesting architecture.

The common era

The common era saw Roman and Iranian cultures in conflict, Chinese and Indian civilisations flourishing, and the birth of Christ. By about 650, the Roman and Iranian civilisations had lost ground to Islam, which was expanding rapidly, and by 750, it controlled the empire from Spain to India. Byzantine civilisation remained as a remnant of Rome. In the Americas, there was some urban development by native Amerindians. The mediaeval period saw urban developments and laid the foundation for the modern age. The rapid development of science and technology saw European cultural expansion and the growth of European empires. The great wars of the twentieth century saw the decline of Europe relative to America, but by the twenty first century, China had become a major power.