Timeline
A unified chronology of construction, settlement, climate, discovery and research.
Construction of Göbekli Tepe
Hunter-gatherers begin building the megalithic enclosures of Göbekli Tepe, the world's oldest known temple.
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Hunter-gatherers begin building the megalithic enclosures of Göbekli Tepe, the world's oldest known temple.
Settlement of Çatalhöyük
One of the largest Neolithic settlements is established in Anatolia, with houses entered through the roof.
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One of the largest Neolithic settlements is established in Anatolia, with houses entered through the roof.
Construction of the Carnac Alignments
Thousands of standing stones are erected in rows across the Breton landscape.
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Thousands of standing stones are erected in rows across the Breton landscape.
Founding of Uruk
Uruk grows into one of the world's first true cities, and proto-cuneiform writing emerges.
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Uruk grows into one of the world's first true cities, and proto-cuneiform writing emerges.
Construction of Newgrange
The passage tomb of Newgrange is built with precise winter solstice alignment.
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The passage tomb of Newgrange is built with precise winter solstice alignment.
Construction of Stonehenge Begins
The first phase of Stonehenge construction begins with the circular earth bank and ditch.
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The first phase of Stonehenge construction begins with the circular earth bank and ditch.
Construction of the Step Pyramid of Djoser
Imhotep designs the Step Pyramid at Saqqara for Pharaoh Djoser, creating the first monumental stone building in history.
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Imhotep designs the Step Pyramid at Saqqara for Pharaoh Djoser, creating the first monumental stone building in history.
Construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid is built for Pharaoh Khufu during the 4th Dynasty, becoming the tallest structure in the world for 3,800 years.
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The Great Pyramid is built for Pharaoh Khufu during the 4th Dynasty, becoming the tallest structure in the world for 3,800 years.
Peak of the Indus Valley Civilisation
Mohenjo-daro and Harappa reach their height with advanced urban planning and drainage.
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Mohenjo-daro and Harappa reach their height with advanced urban planning and drainage.
The Code of Hammurabi is Inscribed
Babylonian king Hammurabi codifies one of the earliest known legal systems on a stele.
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Babylonian king Hammurabi codifies one of the earliest known legal systems on a stele.
Carving of the Nazca Lines
The Nazca people begin etching vast geoglyphs into the desert floor.
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The Nazca people begin etching vast geoglyphs into the desert floor.
Construction of Baalbek's Temple of Jupiter
The Romans build the Temple of Jupiter atop earlier foundations with the massive Trilithon stones.
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The Romans build the Temple of Jupiter atop earlier foundations with the massive Trilithon stones.
Construction of the Aksumite Stelae
The Aksumite kingdom erects towering carved granite stelae as funerary monuments.
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The Aksumite kingdom erects towering carved granite stelae as funerary monuments.
Peak of Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan becomes one of the largest cities in the world with over 125,000 inhabitants.
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Teotihuacan becomes one of the largest cities in the world with over 125,000 inhabitants.
Construction of Chichén Itzá's El Castillo
The step pyramid of Kukulcan is built at Chichén Itzá with precise astronomical alignment.
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The step pyramid of Kukulcan is built at Chichén Itzá with precise astronomical alignment.
Construction of Angkor Wat
Suryavarman II commissions Angkor Wat, the largest religious complex in the world.
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Suryavarman II commissions Angkor Wat, the largest religious complex in the world.
Carving of the Rapa Nui Moai
The Rapa Nui people begin carving and erecting the monumental moai statues.
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The Rapa Nui people begin carving and erecting the monumental moai statues.
Peak of Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe becomes the capital of a wealthy trading kingdom in southern Africa.
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Great Zimbabwe becomes the capital of a wealthy trading kingdom in southern Africa.
Construction of Machu Picchu
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui builds the mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu.
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Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui builds the mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu.
Rediscovery of Petra
Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt rediscovers the lost city of Petra.
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Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt rediscovers the lost city of Petra.
Decipherment of Egyptian Hieroglyphs
Champollion announces the decipherment of hieroglyphs using the Rosetta Stone.
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Champollion announces the decipherment of hieroglyphs using the Rosetta Stone.
Rediscovery of Machu Picchu
Hiram Bingham brings Machu Picchu to international attention.
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Hiram Bingham brings Machu Picchu to international attention.
Excavation of Mohenjo-daro
Mohenjo-daro is excavated, revealing the advanced urban planning of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
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Mohenjo-daro is excavated, revealing the advanced urban planning of the Indus Valley Civilisation.
Discovery of Göbekli Tepe
Klaus Schmidt begins excavations at Göbekli Tepe, revealing the world's oldest megalithic temple.
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Klaus Schmidt begins excavations at Göbekli Tepe, revealing the world's oldest megalithic temple.
Excavations Begin at Karahan Tepe
Systematic excavations at Karahan Tepe reveal a sculpted human head and hundreds of pillars.
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Systematic excavations at Karahan Tepe reveal a sculpted human head and hundreds of pillars.