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.