Ancient River Civilizations Around the World

The reason why civilizations developed around and in river valleys is for their proximity to the river, fertile soil, easy transportation, food sources and ease of protection.

The four ancient civilizations recorded in history around rivers are Mesopotamia around Tigris and Euphrates River, Egypt around Nile River, Indus around the Indus and Ganges River, and China around Yellow and Yangtze River. 

 

 

Mesopotamia was the civilization that existed between the Euphrates and Tigris River dating back to 3500 BCE. They are present in modern Turkey and cross Syria, before ending in Iraq where they unite. The Middle East is usually dry and sandy, but due to these rivers, the area of the civilization is different.

Farming establishments settled around the rivers by 7th century BC. People had acquired knowledge of irrigation. The main cities of Eridu and Uruk depended on improving irrigation methods and supplying enough food to the people of Mesopotamia.

 

 

The Egyptian empire was ruled by the Pharaoh whose word was law. They were more concerned with decorative arts, shipbuilding and some knowledge of medicines. They had a stable government system but were not much inclined towards a flourishing trade. The civilization developed by the 3000 BCE. The civilization was smaller than that of the Mesopotamians but was more modern in governance. 

 

 

The Indus Valley Civilization developed by 2500 BCE. Their main cities were situated 400 kilometres apart – Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. It runs from below the Himalayas in modern Pakistan and northeastern India.

The civilization at its peak saw many buildings and modern drainage and water storage systems. Very crude weapons were used and pottery was quite popular. Houses were built in size depending on the class distinctions.

 

 

The Chinese Civilization that developed by the 1700 BCE got its name from the early Chin dynasty that once ruled the area covering modern China. It united the whole of China under one emperor. Important items that the whole world uses were manufactured during this time like paper, compass, gunpowder and so on.

The government was headed by the emperor who had all the power. They traded with the Indus Valley civilization, and also had class distinctions in society.

 

 

It is interesting how these ancient civilizations were more organized and developed in those early times while many countries of today are still struggling with much lesser geographical extent.