- Mesopotamia (Ancient Iraq): The Sumerian civilization flourished in Mesopotamia between 3500 and 1900 BCE. The Sumerians built some of the world's first cities, including Ur, Uruk, and Kish, and developed cuneiform, one of the earliest known writing systems.
- Ancient Egypt: The Ancient Egyptian civilization arose around the fertile Nile River in North Africa and flourished for over 3,000 years, from around 3100 BCE to 332 BCE. The Egyptians built impressive structures such as the pyramids, developed hieroglyphic writing, and made significant advancements in mathematics and astronomy.
- Indus Valley Civilization (Ancient India): The Indus Valley Civilization flourished in the basins of the Indus River wherefore it derives its name between 2500 and 1900 BCE. Major cities included Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, and they developed a sophisticated urban culture, plumbing systems, and a standardized system of weights and measures.
- Ancient China: The earliest known Chinese civilization, the Xia Dynasty, emerged around 2100 BCE and was followed by the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE). The Chinese developed a complex system of writing, made remarkable achievements in metallurgy, and built impressive structures like the Great Wall of China.
- Minoan Civilization (Crete): The Minoan civilization flourished on the island of Crete in the Aegean Sea from around 2700 to 1450 BCE. They were known for their advanced maritime culture, Minoan palaces like the Palace of Knossos, and the art of fresco painting.
-Olmec Civilization (Ancient Mesoamerica): The Olmec civilization thrived in the southern part of Mexico from around 1200 to 400 BCE. They are believed to be one of the earliest major civilizations in Mesoamerica and are known for their colossal stone heads, impressive ceremonial centers like San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, and the development of a calendar.
These civilizations made significant contributions to human knowledge and culture, laying the foundation for the development of later societies.