A Timeline of the World in 8 Maps

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Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. </div> <div class="label mt-20 mb-10">Select Citation Style</div> <select class="js-citation-format-select form-select"> <option selected value="mla">MLA</option> <option value="apa">APA</option> <option value="chicago">Chicago Manual of Style</option> </select> <div class="citation font-serif border rounded p-15 mt-20" data-authors="Kenny Chmielewski" data-title="A Timeline of the World in 8 Maps" data-published-date="18 Mar. 2021" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/list/a-timeline-of-the-world-in-8-maps" > <div class="citation-text"></div> </div> <button class="js-copy-citation-button mt-20 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="file_copy"></em> <span class="js-citation-status-text">Copy Citation</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-share-modal-button js-modal gtm-topic-tool btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" data-modal=".md-share-modal"> <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="share"></em> Share </button> <div class="md-share-modal size-lg d-none qa-share-modal"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10" data-icon="share"></em> Share </div> <div class="label my-20">Share to social media</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex align-items-start inverted" data-value="share" title="A Timeline of the World in 8 Maps" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/list/a-timeline-of-the-world-in-8-maps" > <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> </div> <div class="label pt-20 mt-20 mb-5 border-top">URL</div> <a class="font-serif text-truncate d-inline-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/list/a-timeline-of-the-world-in-8-maps">https://www.britannica.com/list/a-timeline-of-the-world-in-8-maps</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing font-14"> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/editor/Kenny-Chmielewski/9604404" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Kenny Chmielewski</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Kenny is an associate cartographer at Britannica and has worked there since 2008. When not making maps and infographics for Britannica, he enjoys photographing the beautiful city of Chicago.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Kenny Chmielewski</span></div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div></div> </div> <article class="topic-content content"><div class="topic-paragraph font-serif md-list-intro pt-15 pb-20"><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="2"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/49/221849-131-4DA1A70D/timeline-world-8-maps.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*0"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/49/221849-131-4DA1A70D/timeline-world-8-maps.jpg?w=1000" alt="Lead image for "A Timeline of the World in 8 Maps"" data-width="900" data-height="675" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">These maps highlight notable milestones in human history from 3200 BCE to 1500 CE, a period that stretches from the development of stone tools in Australia to the building of the palace complex at Machu Picchu in South America.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><ul class="list-unstyled md-mendel-list"><li><h2>3200–2500 BCE</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="5"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/75/199675-050-DBFE390D/map-world-events-3200-2500-BCE.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*253294"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/75/199675-050-DBFE390D/map-world-events-3200-2500-BCE.jpg?w=1000" alt="World map of events between 3200-2500 BCE" data-width="2000" data-height="1022" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/75/199675-050-DBFE390D/map-world-events-3200-2500-BCE.jpg" data-href="*253294">Major developments in world history from 3200 to 2500 BCE</a><span>A map showing some of the most notable developments in human history between 3200 and 2500 BCE, including the construction of Stonehenge in Great Britain and pyramids in Egypt as well as stone tools with handles in Australia.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Kenny Chmielewski</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">This period gave rise to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Stonehenge" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Stonehenge</a> and Egyptian <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/pyramid-architecture" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">pyramids</a>.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-1"></span></li><li><h2>2500–2000 BCE</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="5"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/199676-050-02FEDBF1/map-world-events-2500-2000-BECE.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*253295"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/199676-050-02FEDBF1/map-world-events-2500-2000-BECE.jpg?w=1000" alt="World map of events between 2500-2000 BCE" data-width="2000" data-height="1022" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/199676-050-02FEDBF1/map-world-events-2500-2000-BECE.jpg" data-href="*253295">Major developments in world history from 2500 to 2000 BCE</a><span>A map showing some of the most notable developments in human history between 2500 and 2000 BCE, including large-scale maize (corn) cultivation in the Peruvian Andes and the development of a hieroglyphic writing system by the Minoans.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Kenny Chmielewski</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">A system of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/hieroglyphic-writing" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">hieroglyphic writing</a> and the large-scale cultivation of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/corn-plant" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">corn</a> were among this period’s accomplishments.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-2"></span></li><li><h2>1500–1000 BCE</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="5"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/77/199677-050-A2776C2F/map-world-events-1500-1000-BCE.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*253296"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/77/199677-050-A2776C2F/map-world-events-1500-1000-BCE.jpg?w=1000" alt="World map of events between 1500-1000 BCE" data-width="2000" data-height="1022" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/77/199677-050-A2776C2F/map-world-events-1500-1000-BCE.jpg" data-href="*253296">Major developments in world history from 1500 to 1000 BCE</a><span>A map showing some of the most notable developments in human history between 1500 and 1000 BCE, including the composition of the Rigveda and the start of the Iron Age.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Kenny Chmielewski</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">This period brought <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/hand-tool" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">toolmaking accomplishments</a>, including the forging of iron by the Hittites and the creation of tools from volcanic glass in present-day Kenya.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-3"></span></li><li><h2>1000–500 BCE</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="5"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/199678-050-D95A832F/map-world-events-900-500-BCE.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*253297"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/199678-050-D95A832F/map-world-events-900-500-BCE.jpg?w=1000" alt="World map of events between 900-500 BCE" data-width="2000" data-height="1022" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/199678-050-D95A832F/map-world-events-900-500-BCE.jpg" data-href="*253297">Major developments in world history from 1000 to 500 BCE</a><span>A map showing some of the most notable developments in human history between 1000 and 500 BCE, including the founding of Rome and Carthage.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">This period witnessed the completion of the First <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Temple-of-Jerusalem" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Temple of Jerusalem</a>.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-4"></span></li><li><h2>200s BCE–200s CE</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="5"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/79/199679-050-5E5E628A/map-world-events-200s-BCE-200s-CE.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*253298"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/79/199679-050-5E5E628A/map-world-events-200s-BCE-200s-CE.jpg?w=1000" alt="World map of events between 200s BCE - 200s CE" data-width="2000" data-height="1022" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/79/199679-050-5E5E628A/map-world-events-200s-BCE-200s-CE.jpg" data-href="*253298">Major developments in world history from the 200s BCE to the 200s CE</a><span>A map showing some of the most notable developments in human history between the third century BCE and the third century CE, including the connection of sections of the Great Wall of China and the dedication of the Colosseum in Rome.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Kenny Chmielewski</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">This period was one in which the ambitions of the Roman Empire were expressed in structures such as the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Colosseum" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Colosseum</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hadrians-Wall" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Hadrian’s Wall</a>.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-5"></span></li><li><h2>300s–500s CE</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="5"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/199680-050-534F129E/map-world-events-300s-500s-CE.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*253299"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/199680-050-534F129E/map-world-events-300s-500s-CE.jpg?w=1000" alt="World map of events between 300s - 500s CE" data-width="2000" data-height="1022" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/80/199680-050-534F129E/map-world-events-300s-500s-CE.jpg" data-href="*253299">Major developments in world history from the 300s to the 500s CE</a><span>A map showing some of the most notable developments in human history between the fourth and sixth centuries CE, including the settling of Chichén Itzá in Mexico and the establishment of toleration for Christianity in the Roman Empire.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Kenny Chmielewski</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">This period brought important events in the history of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christianity" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Christianity</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Buddhism</a>.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-6"></span></li><li><h2>500–1100 CE</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="5"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/46/221146-050-05C1C9D6/world-map-events-500-1100-CE.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*253300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/46/221146-050-05C1C9D6/world-map-events-500-1100-CE.jpg?w=1000" alt="World map of events between 500 - 1100 CE" data-width="2000" data-height="1022" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/46/221146-050-05C1C9D6/world-map-events-500-1100-CE.jpg" data-href="*253300">Major developments in world history from 500 to 1100 CE</a><span>A map showing some of the most notable developments in human history between 500 and 1100 CE, including Ghana becoming a powerful trading empire and the establishment of Mecca as the major religious centre of Islam.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Kenny Chmielewski</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">This period witnessed the establishment of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Mecca" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mecca</a> as the center of Islam and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Norman-Conquest" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">the capture of England by the Normans</a>.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-7"></span></li><li><h2>1100–1500 CE</h2><div><figure class="md-assembly md-feature-assembly print-false" data-type="1" data-descid="5"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/81/199681-050-C4FD0AB1/map-world-events-1100-1500-CE.jpg" target="_blank" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center " data-href="*253301"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/81/199681-050-C4FD0AB1/map-world-events-1100-1500-CE.jpg?w=1000" alt="World map of events between 1100 - 1500 CE" data-width="2000" data-height="1022" loading="eager"><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class=""><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif "><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" target="_blank" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/81/199681-050-C4FD0AB1/map-world-events-1100-1500-CE.jpg" data-href="*253301">Major developments in world history from 1100 to 1500 CE</a><span>A map showing some of the most notable developments in human history between 1100 and 1500 CE, including the construction of Great Zimbabwe, the palace complex at Machu Picchu, and Angkor Wat.</span></span></div><cite class="credit d-block mt-5">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Kenny Chmielewski</cite></figcaption></figure><p class="topic-paragraph">This period was one of spectacular construction, including <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/cliff-dwelling" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">cliff houses</a> in North America, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Angkor-Wat" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Angkor Wat</a>, the palace complex at <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Machu-Picchu" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Machu Picchu</a>, and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Alhambra-fortress-Granada-Spain" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Alhambra</a>.</p><span class="MOD"></span></div><span class="LIST-ITEM-8"></span></li></ul><span class="AM-END-OF-ARTICLE am-inline"></span></article> </div> </div> </div> <aside class="cm-rightrail d-none d-md-block ad-rail"></aside> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grid gx-0"> <div class="col"> <div class="md-loading hidden display-4 font-weight-normal"></div> <div class="text-center my-20 mb-100"> <button class="md-infinite-load-next 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A Timeline of the World in 8 Maps | Britannica