List of Top 10 Oldest Civilizations in the World

Human civilizations have appeared, flourished, and altered the world forever. Long before the modern nations that have become commonplace or global cities, there were ancient civilizations that shaped the core of science, art, rule, and religion. These civilizations pioneered large cities, developed a system of writing, and developed intricate society operations that would be one of their tallies and are still enjoyed by us today. In the rich plains of Mesopotamia, as well as the river valleys of Egypt, China, and the Americas, these evolved independently, but all emerged from the well of human need to innovate to survive; common themes radiated from these cultures as they appeared independently. 

In this article, we explore the top 10 oldest civilizations in the world and the dynamic legacy they left on the cultural horizon of humankind.  Amazing feats of a credo that we can hardly recognize at this point remind us of the long journey that humankind has traversed, and how much we owe to what we once took for wisdom from the ancient world.

Check Out: List of Top 10 Oldest Languages in the World (Still Spoken)

List of Top 10 Oldest Civilizations in the World

Here is the list of the top 10 oldest civilizations in the world, along with the name of the civilizations and approximate date: 

1. Sumerian Civilization 

The Sumerians, who were located in what is today known as Iraq, were considered the first true civilization in the ancient world. They brought you cuneiform writing, the first recognized cities such as Uruk and Ur, and complex systems of religion, law, and administration. Sumerians invented irrigation, advanced trading networks, and early mathematics. 

In terms of architecture and engineering, the Sumerians invented the wheel and ziggurat temples. No matter how you define civilization today, writing, governance, and law all originated in Sumer over six thousand years ago.

2. Caral-Supe Civilization 

The Caral-Supe Civilization, also called Norte Chico, arose along the coast of what is now Peru and is one of the earliest civilizations documented in the Americas. Caral-Supe had large pyramids, plazas, and sophisticated agricultural methods using irrigation. Interestingly, there is no evidence of warfare, which indicates that this civilization was generally cooperative and peaceful.

 Without question, Caral's world revolved around trade; textiles and dried fish were particularly popular commodities. There were no examples of ceramics or writing, but remarkably, the level of social organization and urban planning is astonishing given such limitations.

3. Egyptian Civilization 

The Ancient Egyptians came out of the Nile River Valley, where they became one of the most recognizable civilizations in human history. They are probably most famous today for their distinctive pyramids, elaborate burial customs, and legendary pharaohs. The legacy left by Ancient Egyptians also includes hieroglyphic writing, art, and architecture.

The Ancient Egyptians were highly organized; the civilization had a central monarchy followed by a plethora of priests and priestesses to serve the Gods, a multi-layered religion, and advanced knowledge in medicine, engineering, and quantitative problem solving, such as mathematics. The Ancient Egyptian civilization was remarkably stable and influential for about 3,000 years before being absorbed by neighboring empires.

4. Indus Valley Civilization 

Blooming in modern-day Pakistan and northwest India, the Indus Valley Civilization represents the embodiment of civilization. From cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, we see city centers laid out in grids and very sophisticated drainage and marked bricks for building materials.

People who lived there engaged in long-distance trade and had a system of weights and measures. Their writing remains indecipherable, but artifacts suggest a sophisticated cultural and religious life. The civilization mysteriously collapsed around 1900 BCE, possibly due to climate change or changing rivers.

5. Ancient Chinese Civilization (Xia Dynasty) 

The Xia Dynasty is regarded as the first Chinese dynasty, marking the start of China's lengthy dynastic history. Although somewhat mythological, it likely existed around 2070 BCE along the Yellow River. 

The Xia dynasty continued the development of Chinese culture, government, and social stratification. Archaeological evidence found in the Erlitou culture supports the Xia and the Shang dynasties' existence, with the Shang having a completely developed writing system. The Xia dynasty marks early developments in bronze work, agriculture, and leadership.