-21000
Wild Emmer wheat is collected in Ohalo II, Israel.
-10200 - -3500
The Neolithic period witnesses a move to farming and settlements, accompanied with a widespread deforestation. Timber is used for fuel and construction.
-9000
Einkorn wheat is first cultivated in Turkey.
-8500
Agricultural settlements start up in the 'Fertile Crescent' around Iraq, Syria and Turkey.
-8500
Agricultural settlements start up in the 'Fertile Crescent' around Iraq, Syria and Turkey.
-8000
Rice is cultivated in Asia.
-7500
The oldest discovered bricks have been found in the Tigris delta region.
-7500
Einkorn wheat is cultivated in the 'Fertile Crescent.'
-7000
Agriculture begins to spread through China and East Asia.
-7000
Major agricultural settlements build up in Jordan and the 'Fertile Crescent' prompting migration and the development of new types of farming such as livestock.
-7000
Agricultural begins to spread through China and East Asia.
-7000
Major agricultural settlements build up in Jordan and the 'Fertile Crescent' prompting migration and the development of new types of farming such as livestock.
-7000
Maize is domesticated in Central America.
-7000
Durum wheat is created by natural selection in Central Europe and the Near East. It is a hardy variety more suited to European conditions.
-6700
Hand ground wheat is used to make flour for porridge and gruel.
-6500
Agriculture spreads through the Balkans and South East Europe.
-6500
Agriculture spreads through the Balkans and South East Europe.
-6000
Sugar cane is cultivated in Papua New Guinea.
-6000
Wine is developed in Georgia in central Asia.
-6000
Gold, silver and copper start to be worked.
-6000
Deforestation leads to the collapse of communities in southern Israel.
-5500
Agriculture begins to spread throughout Egypt.
-5500
Agriculture begins to spread throughout Egypt.
-5500
Millstones are created to grind flour more effectively.
-5300 - -2334
Sumerian Civilisation.
-5000 - -2800
Megalith construction in Europe.
-5000
Wine production spreads to Armenia and Iran.
-5000
Gold metalwork appears in Europe.
-5000
Bread wheat is grown in Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Crete.
-5000
Wheat cultivation spreads to Germany and Spain.
-4500
Cotton is first cultivated in what is now western Pakistan.
-4000
Chili peppers are cultivated in Ecuador.
-4000
Cotton is cultivated in Mexico.
-4000
Gold mining starts in the Balkans and the metal is fashioned into decorative objects.
-4000
Date of the earliest timber trackway discovered in London.
-4000
Horses are domesticated.
-4000
Sunflowers are grown for food in Central America.
-4000
Sunflowers are grown for food in Central America.
-3600
Silk is produced from silkworms in China.
-35
The Celts in Central Europe make use of wooden barrels to store materials.
-3500
Barley beer is known to exist in Iran.
-3500
The wheel is developed in Mesopotamia and Central Europe.
-3500 - -0600
The Bronze Age witnesses human ability to smelt ores and work metal; and also the emergence of the first forms of writing. Deforestation continues with increased need for charcoal. Trade networks develop.
-3500
Maize and beans are now commonplace foods in Central America.
-3500
Agriculture spreads through Northern Europe to the British Isles.
-3500
Maize and beans are now commonplace foods in Central America.
-3500
Agriculture spreads through Northern Europe to the British Isles.
-3400
Opium poppies are cultivated by the Sumerians and Assyrians in lower Mesopotomia. It is used as an anaesthetic, a narcotic, and to induce euphoria.
-3400
Balbridie House in Aberdeenshire is one of the earlist known timber framed houses.
-3255
Otzi the Iceman dies wearing a coat, leggings, loin cloth and belt, made from various skins.
-3200 - -3000
Cuneiform script is developed in Mesopotamia and Hieroglyphs are invented in Egypt.
-3200
The Indus Valley Civilisation helps the spread of cotton cultivation through South Asia.
-3200
Earliest recorded Egyptian sea voyage.
-3100
Boats with sails are used in Egypt.
-3000
Egyptians make use of spices in the embalming process.
-3000
Silver mining becomes common in Turkey and the Aegean.
-3000
The Sumerians use gold to create jewelry.
-3000
Ancient Egyptians start to make ships from wooden planks.
-300 - 300
The Desertification of the Sahara is accelerated by trade and settlement.
-3000
Beer is spread through Europe by Celtic tribes.
-3000
Glass is created in Egypt.
-3000 - -1450
Minoan civilisation.
-3000
The first large towns emerge in Mesopotamia.
-3000
Wheat cultivation spreads to England and Scandinavia.
-3000
The Egyptians use yeast and leaven to make bread which rises. They also invent the bread oven.
-2925 - -2575
The Early Dynastic period in Egypt (1st-3rd Dynasties).
-2800
Ur becomes a flourishing city state in Sumeria (modern Iraq).
-2737
Tea is known in China. Legends speak of tea leaves blowing into the Emperor's cup.
-2700
Some of the first laws protecting forests are decreed in Ur.
-2698
Chinese Emperor Hoang-ti credited with inventing pottery.
-2650
Grape vines are cultivated in Egypt.
-2600
Gold is described in Egyptian hieroglyphs.
-2600 - -1800
The Indus Civilisation in Northwest India is at its peak.
-2575 - -2130
The Old Kindom period in Egypt (4th-8th Dynasties).
-2547 - -2475
The Great Pyramids are built at Giza, Egypt.
-2500
Chaldeans in Turkey discover the method of seperating silver from lead in silver-lead ore.
-2500
Mortice and tenon joints are being used in Egyptian ship construction.
-2500
The first known tidal dock is built in Lothal, near Gujerat, India.
-2500
Increased use of timber in Egypt leads to widespread deforestation.
-2500 - -1800
Beaker Culture spreads across Europe.
-2500
Potatoes are grown in Peru.
-2494 - -2342
First Dynasty period in Mesopotamia.
-2400 - 1100
Records are written on papyrus sheets.
-2400
The abacus, the first known calculator, is invented in Babylonia.
-2260 - -2023
Second Dynasty period in Mesopotamia.
-2130 - -1938
The Middle Kingdom period in Egypt (9th-11th Dynasties).
-2100
Ziggurat built at Ur.
-2070 - -1600
The Xia Dynasty in China.
-2000
Palace construction commences at Knossos.
-2000 - -0080
Arab traders exercise a monopoly over the Spice trade for nearly 2000 years.
-2000
Black peppers used in Indian cooking. Peppercorns were used as a trading currency.
-2000
Agriculture begins to spread through sub-Saharan Africa.
-2000
Agriculture begins to spread through sub-Saharan Africa.
-1938 - -1630
Second Middle Kingdom period in Egypt (12th-13th Dynasties).
-1900
A cuneiform tablet documents the purchase of wine.
-1900 - -1100
Mycenaean Civilisation in Greece and the Greek Bronze Age.
-1800 - -0250
Preclassic period of Mayan Civilisation in Central America.
-1792
Opiates continue to be used in the Babylonian Empire.
-1721
Cloves are being used in Syria (based on archaeological finds).
-1600
Gold Mask of Mycenae is created.
-1600
Silver mines are esrtablished in Laurium, near Athens.
-1600 - -1046
The Shang Dynasty in China. High quality jade and bronze artefacts show that this was a highly developed society.
-1600 - -1046
Possible production of a type of ‘proto-porcelain’ during the Shang dynasty.
-1570 - -1075
The New Kingdom period in Egypt (18th-20th Dynasties).
-1550
The Ebers Papyrus mentions the use of opiates in medicine by the Egyptians.
-1500
Gold mining in Nubia enriches the Egyptian rulers. The gold shekel (11.3g of gold) becomes a standard currency for traders.
-1500
The Dionysian cult holds festivals in which wine plays a prominent part.
-1500 - -0300
Olmec Civilisation in Mexico.
-1500
Soil erosion is the probable cause of collapse of Central American city states.
-1500
The multi-tube seed drill is invented in China.
-1500
Slave or animal powered mills for grinding wheat are introduced in the Middle East replacing the need for hand milling.
-1450
Minoan civilisation declines either due to a volcanic eruption or deforestation.
-1365
The Flag Fen community in East Anglia dates from this period. They lived in huts made from timber and rushes.