The 10 Oldest Civilizations in the World

Origin of Human Civilizations

The earliest human-like species or hominid appeared for the first time around about 2 million years ago.

While modern civilizations extend to every continent except Antarctica, most scholars place the earliest cradles of civilizations in the Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East.

The 10 Oldest Civilizations

From the ancient Egyptians to the lesser-known Jiahu people, the following article briefly explores six of the world's oldest civilizations.

1. Sumer
2. Ancient Egypt
3. Indus Valley Civilization
4. Mesopotamia
5. Caral
6. Jiahu
7. Cucuteni-Trypillia
8. Vinča
9. Mehrgarh
10. Göbekli Tepe