◆ Atlas of Human History ◆
Civilizations
From the Nile to the Aegean to the heart of Rome — explore the cultures that shaped human history.
1971 CE
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Modern UAE
The modern UAE period began on 2 December 1971, when the emirates joined together to form one country called the United Arab Emirates. At first, six emirates united: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah. Later, Ras Al Khaimah joined in 1972, completing the seven emirates. Before the union, the area was mostly known for fishing, pearl diving, desert trade, and small coastal towns. After oil was discovered, the country developed quickly. The UAE built modern cities, roads, airports, schools, hospitals, and business centers. Today, the UAE is known for its fast development, modern architecture, tourism, trade, and cultural mix. Dubai became a global city, while Abu Dhabi became the political capital and an important center for government, culture, and energy.
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3100 BCE – 30 BCE
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Ancient Egypt
A civilization of the Nile famed for pyramids, pharaohs, and a profound culture of the afterlife.
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800 BCE – 146 BCE
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Ancient Greece
City-states that shaped philosophy, science, democracy, and Western art.
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27 BCE – 476 CE
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Roman Empire
A vast empire whose law, engineering, and language still shape the world.
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2600 BCE – 2000 BCE
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Umm Al Nar Civilization
The Umm Al Nar Civilization existed around 2600–2000 BCE in the area that is now the UAE and Oman. It is known for its circular stone tombs, trading with Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley, and using copper from the mountains. Important sites include Umm Al Nar Island in Abu Dhabi, Hili in Al Ain, and other ancient settlements across the UAE.
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3500 BCE – 539 BCE
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Mesopotamia
The land between the rivers — Sumer, Akkad, and Babylon, and the first cities.
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1600 BCE – 220 CE
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Ancient China
Dynasties that gave the world paper, the compass, gunpowder, and lasting philosophy.
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2000 BCE – 1500 CE
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Maya Civilization
Mesoamerican masters of astronomy, mathematics, and writing.
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550 BCE – 330 BCE
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Persian Empire
The Achaemenid empire — the largest the world had yet seen, ruled with roads and tolerance.
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3300 BCE – 1300 BCE
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Indus Valley Civilization
One of the earliest urban cultures, with planned cities and advanced drainage.
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1438 CE – 1533 CE
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Inca Empire
The largest empire in pre-Columbian America, masters of mountain engineering.
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1345 CE – 1521 CE
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Aztec Empire
A powerful Mesoamerican empire centered on the island-city of Tenochtitlan.
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794 CE – 1868 CE
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Feudal Japan
An age of emperors, samurai, and shoguns that shaped Japanese culture.
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793 CE – 1066 CE
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The Viking Age
Norse seafarers, traders, and explorers who reached from America to Asia.
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330 CE – 1453 CE
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Byzantine Empire
The eastern Roman empire that endured a thousand years from Constantinople.
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802 CE – 1431 CE
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Khmer Empire
A Southeast Asian empire that built Angkor, the largest religious monument on Earth.
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43 CE – 410 CE
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Roman Britain
Three centuries of Roman rule that left roads, baths, and walled cities across Britain.
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800 CE – 888 CE
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Carolingian Empire
Charlemagne’s Frankish empire that revived learning and crowned a new Western emperor.
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711 CE – 1492 CE
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Al-Andalus
A brilliant Muslim civilization in Iberia famed for science, poetry, and architecture.
Explore962 CE – 1806 CE
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Holy Roman Empire
A sprawling realm of German-speaking states that endured for a thousand years.
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882 CE – 1240 CE
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Kievan Rus’
The first East Slavic state, knit together by river trade and Orthodox faith.
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1206 CE – 1368 CE
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Mongol Empire
The largest contiguous land empire in history, forged by Genghis Khan.
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100 CE – 940 CE
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Kingdom of Aksum
An African trading power that minted its own coins and raised towering stelae.
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1235 CE – 1670 CE
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Mali Empire
A West African empire of gold and scholarship, home to Timbuktu’s libraries.
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1070 BCE – 350 CE
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Kingdom of Kush
Nubian kings who ruled Egypt and built more pyramids than their northern neighbours.
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312 BCE – 106 CE
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Nabataean Kingdom
Desert traders who carved the rose-red city of Petra from living rock.
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1351 CE – 1767 CE
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Kingdom of Ayutthaya
A cosmopolitan Siamese kingdom of golden temples and global trade.
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1293 CE – 1527 CE
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Majapahit Empire
A Javanese maritime empire that united much of the Indonesian archipelago.
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939 CE – 1804 CE
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Đại Việt
A resilient Vietnamese state that repelled empires and shaped a lasting culture.
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1392 CE – 1897 CE
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Joseon Dynasty
A long-lived Korean dynasty that gave the world the Hangul alphabet.
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1180 CE – 1897 CE
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Benin Empire
A West African kingdom renowned for its guild artists and intricate bronzes.
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1100 CE – 1450 CE
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Kingdom of Great Zimbabwe
Builders of a vast dry-stone city at the heart of a gold-trading realm.
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100 CE – 1300 CE
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Ancestral Puebloans
Cliff-dwelling builders of the American Southwest and master astronomers.
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600 CE – 1540 CE
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Muisca Confederation
Andean goldsmiths whose rituals inspired the legend of El Dorado.
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550 CE – 1000 CE
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Tiwanaku
A highland Andean civilization that flourished beside Lake Titicaca.
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