Oldest Known Civilizations | Complete Data Table

Civilization ⇵	Approximate Era ⇵	Region ⇵	Modern Day Country ⇵
1	Sumerian Civilization	c. 4500 BC	Mesopotamia (Iraq)
2	Indus Valley Civilization	c. 3300 BC	South Asia (India/Pakistan)
3	Ancient Egyptian Civilization	c. 3100 BC	Egypt
4	Norte Chico Civilization	c. 3200 BC	Peru
5	Minoan Civilization	c. 2700 BC	Crete (Greece)
6	Akkadian Empire	c. 2334 BC	Mesopotamia
7	Ancient Chinese (Xia/Shang)	c. 2070 BC	China
8	Babylonian Empire	c. 1894 BC	Mesopotamia
9	Hittite Empire	c. 1600 BC	Anatolia (Turkey)
10	Mycenaean Civilization	c. 1600 BC	Greece
11	Olmec Civilization	c. 1200 BC	Mesoamerica (Mexico)
12	Phoenician Civilization	c. 1200 BC	Levant (Lebanon)
13	Assyrian Empire	c. 2025 BC	Mesopotamia
14	Elamite Civilization	c. 3200 BC	Iran
15	Ancient Maya	c. 2000 BC	Mesoamerica
16	Zapotec Civilization	c. 700 BC	Mesoamerica (Mexico)
17	Chavin Culture	c. 900 BC	Peru
18	Nubian Civilization (Kush)	c. 2500 BC	Sudan
19	Harappan Civilization	c. 2600 BC	Indus Valley
20	Ancient Persian (Achaemenid)	c. 550 BC	Iran
21	Ancient Greek Civilization	c. 800 BC	Greece
22	Etruscan Civilization	c. 900 BC	Italy
23	Roman Civilization	c. 753 BC	Italy
24	Carthaginian Empire	c. 814 BC	Tunisia
25	Axumite Empire	c. 100 AD	Ethiopia
26	Moche Civilization	c. 100 AD	Peru
27	Nazca Culture	c. 100 BC	Peru
28	Toltec Civilization	c. 900 AD	Mexico
29	Inca Empire	c. 1438 AD	Peru
30	Aztec Empire	c. 1300 AD	Mexico

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Oldest Known Civilizations?

A chronological list of the earliest recorded human civilizations.

How many entries are in this list?

There are currently Top 30 Oldest Civilizations entries recorded in this list.

How is this data collected and verified?

Data is sourced from official records, government publications, peer-reviewed studies, and reputable international organizations. All entries are cross-referenced with multiple sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

How often is this list updated?

This list is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect the most current data available. Some statistics change frequently (e.g. population, rankings) while others remain stable over time (e.g. historical records).

Can I use this data for research or projects?

Yes. The data presented here is free to use for educational, research, and personal projects. We recommend citing the original sources for academic work. Use the Export CSV button to download the data in a spreadsheet format.

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