View source for Sapiens


== Timeline of History ==
Years Before Present
;13.5 billion
:Matter and energy appear (physics).  Atoms and molecules appear (chemistry).
;4.5 billion
:Formation of planet Earth.
;3.8 billion
:Emergence of organisms (biology).
;6 million
:Last common grandmother of humans and chimpanzees.
;2.5 million
:Evolution of genus ''Homo'' in Africa.  First stone tools.
;2 million
:Humans spread from Africa to Eurasia.  Evolution of different human species.
;500,000
:Neanderthals evolve in Europe and the Middle East.
;300,000
:Daily use of fire
;200,000
:''Homo sapiens'' evolves in East Africa.
;70,000
:The Cognitive Revolution.  Emergence of fictive language (history).  Sapiens spread out of Africa.
;45,000
:Sapiens settle Australia.  Extinction of Australian megafauna.
;30,000
:Extinction of Neanderthals.
;16,000
:Sapiens settle America.  Extinction of American megafauna.
;13,000
:Extinction of ''Homo floresiensis''.  ''Homo sapiens'' the only surviving human species.
;12,000
:The Agricultural Revolution.  Domestication of plants and animals.  Permanent settlements.
;5,000
:First kingdoms, script and money.  Polytheistic religions.
;4,250
:First empire - the Akkadian empire of Sargon.
;2,500
:Invention of coinage - a universal money.  The Persian Empire.  Buddhism in India.
;2,000
:Han Empire in China.  Roman Empire in Mediterranean.  Christianity.
;1,400
:Islam.
;500
:The Scientific Revolution.  Humankind admits its ignorance and begins to acquire unprecedented power. Europeans being to conquer America and the oceans.  The entire planet becomes a single historical arena.  The rise of capitalism.
;200
:The Industrial Revolution.  Family and community are replaced by state and market.  Massive extinction of plants and animals.

== Cognitive Revolution ==
Sapiens developed the ability to share common myths.  Ideas about social hierarchy, religion, law, and many more fictitious concepts allow for ever-increasing social complexity.