3000–800 BCE
The Ancient World
The first civilizations, writing, and monumental states.
CivilizationEmergence of Norte Chico Urban Centersc. 3000 BCE · Caral-Supe Valley, PeruThe Norte Chico civilization establishes the oldest known cities in the Americas.
ArtPeak Period of Australian Aboriginal Rock Artc. 3000 BCE to 1500 CE · Kakadu National Park, AustraliaAboriginal artists create vast galleries of rock paintings depicting ancestral beings and hunting scenes.
ScienceDomestication of the Turkey in Mesoamericac. 1000 BCE · Central MexicoAncient Mesoamericans successfully domesticate the wild turkey for meat and ritual feathers.
TechnologyIndustrialization of Sericulture in Ancient Chinac. 2600 BCE · Shaanxi Province, ChinaChinese artisans perfect the reeling and spinning of silk from silkworm cocoons.
CivilizationUrban Planning of Mohenjo-daroc. 2600 BCE · Mohenjo-daro, PakistanThe Indus Valley Civilization constructs Mohenjo-daro with advanced grid systems and the world's first known urban sanitation.
CivilizationUrbanization of Harappa and Mohenjo-daroc. 2600 BCE · Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, Indus Valley (modern Pakistan)The mature Harappan phase begins, establishing the first large-scale urban centers in South Asia with advanced grid planning.
TechnologyAdvanced Irrigation Systems of the Indus Valley Civilizationc. 2600 BCE · Harappa, PakistanEngineers construct sophisticated canal networks and water reservoirs for urban agriculture.
CivilizationGreat Pyramid of Giza Builtc. 2560 BCE · Giza, EgyptPharaoh Khufu commissions the largest ancient monument using millions of limestone blocks and advanced engineering.
CivilizationRise of the Kingdom of Kush at Kermac. 2500 BCE · Kerma, SudanThe Kingdom of Kush emerges in Nubia as a powerful rival to Egypt with unique monumental architecture and trade networks.
ReligionDiscovery of the Pashupati Sealc. 2500 BCE · Mohenjo-daro, Indus Valley (modern Pakistan)The Pashupati seal is carved, depicting a seated figure surrounded by animals, likely an early prototype of the Hindu god Shiva.
CivilizationProduction of Indus Valley Sealsc. 2500 BCE · Mohenjo-daro, Indus Valley (Modern Pakistan)Craftsmen carve intricate steatite seals featuring undeciphered script and animal motifs.
PoliticsSargon of Akkad Establishes the First Empirec. 2334 BCE · Akkad (Location uncertain, near Baghdad, Iraq)Sargon unifies Sumerian city-states to create the world's first multi-ethnic empire.
PoliticsPromulgation of the Code of Ur-Nammuc. 2100 BCE · Ur, Southern Mesopotamia (Iraq)The earliest known surviving law code is established in the Sumerian city of Ur.
PoliticsNelson Mandela Elected President of South AfricaApril 27, 1994 · Cape Town, South AfricaSouth Africa holds its first democratic election, ending the apartheid regime and establishing a multiracial government.
PoliticsZimbabwe Gains Independence from BritainApril 18, 1980 · Harare, ZimbabweRobert Mugabe leads the transition from Rhodesia to the independent nation of Zimbabwe.
PoliticsAngolan War of Independence EndsNovember 11, 1975 · Luanda, AngolaAngola gains independence from Portugal, immediately plunging into a civil war between rival liberation movements.
PoliticsCongo Gains Independence from BelgiumJune 30, 1960 · Kinshasa, Congo (DRC)The Belgian Congo becomes the independent Republic of the Congo, sparking immediate political turmoil.
PoliticsGhana Gains Independence from BritainMarch 6, 1957 · Accra, GhanaKwame Nkrumah leads the Gold Coast to become the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence from colonial rule.
WarAlgerian War of Independence BeginsNovember 1, 1954 · Algiers, AlgeriaThe National Liberation Front launches coordinated attacks marking the start of the Algerian War against France.
WarMau Mau Uprising Begins in KenyaOctober 20, 1952 · Nairobi, KenyaThe Kikuyu-led Mau Mau rebellion begins against British colonial rule and white settler land ownership.
PoliticsFounding of the Indochinese Communist PartyFebruary 3, 1930 · Hong Kong (Vietnamese context)Ho Chi Minh unites communist factions to form the Indochinese Communist Party, aiming for Vietnamese independence from France.
WarTurkish War of Independence BeginsMay 19, 1919 · Samsun, TurkeyMustafa Kemal Atatürk lands in Samsun to organize resistance against Allied occupation and the Ottoman Sultanate.
PoliticsKorean March First MovementMarch 1, 1919 · Seoul, Korea (under Japanese rule)Mass non-violent protests erupt across Korea demanding independence from Japanese colonial rule.
PoliticsEgyptian Revolution of 1919March 8, 1919 · Cairo, EgyptMass protests erupt in Egypt demanding an end to British protectorate and full independence.
WarEaster Rising in IrelandApril 24, 1916 · Dublin, IrelandIrish republicans launch an armed insurrection against British rule in Dublin during Easter Week.
WarMexican Revolution BeginsNovember 20, 1910 · Mexico City, MexicoFrancisco I. Madero issues a call to arms against the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz.
DisasterCatastrophic Flooding at Mohenjo-Daroc. 1900 BCE · Mohenjo-Daro, Sindh, PakistanDevastating floods from the Indus River repeatedly buried and destroyed layers of Mohenjo-Daro, signaling the decline of the urban phase.
WarBattle of Spion KopJanuary 24, 1900 · Natal, South AfricaBritish forces suffer a disastrous defeat against Boer commandos in the Second Boer War.
WarBattle of Adwa: Ethiopian Victory Over ItalyMarch 1, 1896 · Adwa, EthiopiaEmperor Menelik II decisively defeats Italian forces, securing Ethiopian sovereignty against colonial encroachment.
WarStart of the Cuban War of IndependenceFebruary 24, 1895 · CubaJosé Martí and Máximo Gómez launch a coordinated uprising against Spanish colonial rule in Cuba.
PoliticsLaunch of La SolidaridadFebruary 15, 1889 · Barcelona, Spain (Philippine context)Filipino reformists launch a newspaper advocating for equal rights and representation within the Spanish Empire.
WarMorant Bay RebellionOctober 11, 1865 · Morant Bay, JamaicaPaul Bogle leads a revolt against racial injustice and economic hardship in British-ruled Jamaica.
WarThe Indian Rebellion of 1857 BeginsMay 10, 1857 · Meerut, IndiaIndian sepoys mutiny against the British East India Company, sparking a widespread uprising across northern India.
PoliticsChilean Constitution of 1823 and Conservative TurnAugust 1823 · Santiago, ChileChile adopts a new constitution that attempts to balance liberal ideals with strong executive power.
PoliticsIndependence of Brazil DeclaredSeptember 7, 1822 · São Paulo, BrazilPrince Pedro I declares Brazil's independence from Portugal near the Ipiranga River.
WarGreek War of Independence BeginsMarch 25, 1821 · Peloponnese, GreeceGreek revolutionaries rise against Ottoman rule, initiating a war that leads to the creation of modern Greece.
WarSimón Bolívar's Crossing of the AndesJune 1819 · Andes Mountains, Colombia/Venezuela BorderBolivar leads his army over the frozen Andes to launch a surprise attack on Spanish forces in New Granada.
PoliticsUva-Wellassa Rebellion Against British RuleMarch 1817 · Kandy, Sri LankaSinhalese chieftains lead a widespread uprising against British colonial expansion in the central highlands.
PoliticsCongress of Tucumán Declares Argentine IndependenceJuly 9, 1816 · San Miguel de Tucumán, ArgentinaDelegates from the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata formally declare independence from Spain.
PoliticsShaka Zulu Unifies the Zulu Kingdomc. 1816 · Natal, Southern AfricaShaka Zulu establishes a centralized military state through innovative tactics and ruthless consolidation of Nguni clans.
PoliticsCry of Dolores: Mexican War of Independence BeginsSeptember 16, 1810 · Dolores Hidalgo, MexicoMiguel Hidalgo y Costilla issues a call to arms against Spanish rule, igniting the Mexican War of Independence.
PoliticsDeclaration of Haitian IndependenceJanuary 1, 1804 · Gonaïves, Saint-DomingueJean-Jacques Dessalines proclaims the independence of Haiti, establishing the first black republic in history.
ScienceDevelopment of Linear A Script by Minoansc. 1800 BCE · Knossos, Crete (Greece)The Minoans develop Linear A, a still undeciphered writing system for administration.
PoliticsTúpac Amaru II Rebellion BeginsNovember 4, 1780 · Tungasuca, Viceroyalty of PeruJosé Gabriel Condorcanqui leads a massive indigenous uprising against Spanish colonial rule in the Andes.
WarTay Son Rebellion Overthrows Le Dynasty1771 CE · Tay Son, VietnamThe Tay Son brothers launch a peasant revolt that overthrows the ruling dynasties.
WarFall of Ayutthaya to Burma1767 CE · Ayutthaya, ThailandBurmese forces sack and burn Ayutthaya, ending the kingdom after four centuries.
PoliticsCreation of the Code of Hammurabic. 1754 BCE · Babylon, Mesopotamia (Iraq)King Hammurabi compiles a comprehensive legal code on a massive diorite stele.
DisasterRebuilding of the Palace at Knossos after Earthquakec. 1700 BCE · Knossos, Crete (Greece)Minoans rebuild the Palace of Knossos after a massive earthquake destroys the old structure.
PoliticsOmani Arabs Establish Control over Zanzibarc. 1698 CE · Zanzibar, TanzaniaOmani forces expel the Portuguese from Zanzibar, establishing a new Arab-dominated trade network in East Africa.
DisasterEcological Collapse and Deforestation of Rapa Nuic. 1600 CE · Rapa Nui (Easter Island), ChileOverexploitation of resources leads to deforestation and societal transformation on Rapa Nui.
WarEscalation of Inter-Tribal Warfare in New Zealandc. 1600 CE · North Island, New ZealandIntensified warfare leads to the construction of massive pā and the development of new weapons like the taiaha.
ReligionRise of the Birdman Cult on Rapa Nuic. 1600 CE · Orongo, Rapa NuiThe Birdman cult replaces moai worship as the central religious and political institution on Rapa Nui.
DisasterMinoan Eruption of Thera (Santorini)c. 1600 BCE · Santorini (Thera), Aegean SeaA massive volcanic eruption devastates the Minoan civilization and alters the Mediterranean climate.
DisasterVolcanic Ash Burial of Akrotiri on Therac. 1600 BCE · Akrotiri, Thera (Santorini), GreeceThe city of Akrotiri is perfectly preserved under volcanic ash from the Minoan eruption.
WarHideyoshi's First Invasion of Korea (Imjin War)1592 CE · Seoul (Hanyang), KoreaToyotomi Hideyoshi launches a massive invasion of Joseon Korea to conquer Ming China.
WarBattle of Nagashino: Introduction of Massed Firepower1575 CE · Nagashino, JapanOda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu use rotating arquebus volleys to defeat Takeda cavalry.
WarOda Nobunaga's Battle of Okehazama1560 CE · Okehazama, Aichi, JapanOda Nobunaga defeats a massive army of Imagawa Yoshimoto in a surprise attack.
PoliticsTran and Le Dynasties Split Vietnam (North-South Division)1533 CE · Hanoi / Hue, VietnamThe Mac Dynasty usurps the throne, leading to a prolonged civil war between North and South.
TechnologyBenin Acquires Cannon Technology from Portugalc. 1500 CE · Benin City, NigeriaThe Kingdom of Benin integrates Portuguese cannon technology into its military arsenals.
PoliticsKingdom of Kongo Engages in Large-Scale Slave Tradec. 1500 CE · Mbanza Kongo, AngolaThe Kingdom of Kongo begins exporting significant numbers of captives to Portuguese traders in exchange for goods.
TechnologyCompletion of the Qhapaq Ñan Road Networkc. 1500 CE · Andes Mountains (Various), Peru/ChileThe Inca finalize the vast road system connecting their empire.
CivilizationArrival of Indo-Aryan Speakers in the Punjabc. 1500 BCE · Punjab Region (modern Pakistan/India)Indo-Aryan tribes migrate into the northwestern Indian subcontinent, introducing the Vedic Sanskrit language and horse culture.
ExplorationLapita Expansion into the Bismarck Archipelagoc. 1500 BCE · Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New GuineaLapita people migrate from Island Melanesia into the Bismarck Archipelago, establishing distinct pottery traditions.
TechnologyConstruction of Complex Pā Fortifications in New Zealandc. 1500 CE · Auckland Region, New ZealandMāori develop sophisticated multi-tiered defensive fortifications in response to inter-tribal warfare.
TechnologyPhoenician Production of Tyrian Purple Dyec. 1500 BCE · Tyre (Sur), LebanonPhoenician merchants develop a lucrative industry extracting purple dye from murex snails.
ReligionAskia Muhammad's Pilgrimage to Meccac. 1497 CE · Mecca (via Gao)Askia Muhammad undertakes a lavish pilgrimage to Mecca, strengthening ties with the Islamic world.
PoliticsAskia Muhammad Establishes Legal Reforms in Songhaic. 1493 CE · Gao, MaliAskia Muhammad I overthrows the Sunni dynasty and implements Islamic legal reforms across the Songhai Empire.
ReligionKing Nzinga a Nkuwu Baptized as João I of Kongo1491 CE · Mbanza Kongo, AngolaKing Nzinga a Nkuwu converts to Catholicism, initiating a complex fusion of Christian and traditional Kongo beliefs.
ReligionRededication of the Templo Mayor by Ahuitzotlc. 1487 CE · Tenochtitlan, Mexico City, MexicoSacrificial ceremonies attend the expansion of Tenochtitlan's main temple.
DisasterGreat Famine of Ethiopia under Emperor Dawit Ic. 1480 CE · Ethiopian HighlandsSevere drought and locust swarms devastate the Ethiopian highlands, causing widespread famine.
WarDai Viet Annexation of Champa1471 CE · Vijaya (Quang Ngai), VietnamLe Thanh Tong destroys the Champa capital, ending its independence and absorbing its territory.
WarSunni Ali Seizes Gao and Expands Songhai Empirec. 1464 CE · Gao, MaliSunni Ali launches military campaigns to conquer Gao and expand the Songhai Empire across West Africa.
ArtCreation of the Benin Bronzes under Oba Ewuarec. 1450 CE · Benin City, NigeriaOba Ewuare commissions the famous bronze and ivory plaques documenting court life and military victories.
ScienceSankore Madrasah Becomes a Center of Learning in Timbuktuc. 1450 CE · Timbuktu, MaliThe Sankore Madrasah emerges as a premier university for Islamic scholarship in West Africa.
PoliticsOba Ewuare Centralizes the Kingdom of Beninc. 1450 CE · Benin City, NigeriaOba Ewuare reorganizes the kingdom into a centralized state with a professional army and bureaucracy.
DisasterAbandonment of Great Zimbabwec. 1450 CE · Great Zimbabwe, ZimbabweEnvironmental degradation and shifting trade routes lead to the gradual abandonment of Great Zimbabwe.
CivilizationConstruction of Machu Picchu by Pachacutic. 1450 CE · Machu Picchu, PeruEmperor Pachacuti commissions the royal estate of Machu Picchu in the Andes.
ScienceSurvival of the Madrid Codex Amidst Destructionc. 1450 CE · Maya Region (Yucatán), MexicoThe Madrid Codex is created just before the Spanish destruction of Maya books.
ScienceAdoption of Linear B by Mycenaean Greeks in Cretec. 1450 BCE · Knossos, Crete (Greece)Mycenaean Greeks conquer Knossos and adapt Minoan script to write their own language.
DisasterDestruction of Minoan Palaces by Firec. 1450 BCE · Knossos, Crete (Greece)A massive fire destroys most Minoan palaces except Knossos, marking the end of their independence.
WarConquest of the Chanka by Pachacutic. 1438 CE · Cusco, PeruPachacuti defeats the Chanka invasion and transforms Cusco into an empire.
WarExpansion of the Solomonic Empire under Zara Yaqobc. 1434 CE · Lake Tana, EthiopiaEmperor Zara Yaqob launches military campaigns to consolidate the Solomonic dynasty and suppress heresy.
ExplorationEnd of Zheng He's Voyages and Ming Isolationism1433 CE · East Africa / China CoastThe Ming Dynasty halts the great naval expeditions and restricts maritime trade.
WarLam Son Uprising Begins Against Ming China1418 CE · Lam Son, Thanh Hoa, VietnamLe Loi launches a rebellion against Ming occupation, founding the Later Le Dynasty.
ExplorationGreat Zimbabwe Dominates Gold Trade with Kilwac. 1400 CE · Great Zimbabwe, ZimbabweArchaeological evidence confirms extensive gold trade between Great Zimbabwe and Swahili coastal cities.
TechnologyExpansion of Chinampa Agriculture in the Valley of Mexicoc. 1400 CE · Lake Xochimilco, Mexico City, MexicoAztec engineers develop intensive floating gardens to feed a growing population.
ArtMass Production of Moai Statues at Rano Rarakuc. 1400 CE · Rano Raraku Quarry, Rapa NuiThe peak period of moai carving begins at the Rano Raraku quarry under the direction of clan chiefs.
PoliticsBreaking of the Tapu by High Chiefsc. 1400 CE · North Island, New ZealandHigh chiefs challenge and modify traditional tapu rules to consolidate power and redistribute resources.
ArtDevelopment of Māori Tā Moko Tattooing Traditionc. 1400 CE · North Island, New ZealandMāori refine the art of tā moko, using chisels to carve permanent facial and body tattoos.
TechnologyAdaptation of Kumara Cultivation in New Zealandc. 1400 CE · North Island, New ZealandMāori develop specialized techniques to grow sweet potatoes in the cooler climate of New Zealand.
TechnologyHittite Mastery of Iron Smeltingc. 1400 BCE · Hattusa, Central Anatolia (Turkey)The Hittites perfect iron smelting techniques, revolutionizing warfare and tool production.
ReligionCoronation Ceremony at Great Zimbabwec. 1350 CE · Great Zimbabwe, ZimbabweThe Munhumutapa king is crowned in a grand ritual linking spiritual authority with the stone enclosures.
PoliticsFounding of Ayutthaya Kingdom1350 CE · Ayutthaya, ThailandU Thong establishes the capital at Ayutthaya, creating a powerful maritime and land empire.
PoliticsGajah Mada's Palapa Oath1336 CE · Trowulan, Java, IndonesiaPrime Minister Gajah Mada vows to unify the archipelago before tasting spices.
PoliticsAshikaga Takauji Establishes Muromachi Shogunate1336 CE · Kyoto, JapanAshikaga Takauji installs a new shogunate in Kyoto, beginning the Nanbokucho period.
ExplorationFounding of Tenochtitlán on Lake Texcococ. 1325 CE · Lake Texcoco, Mexico City, MexicoThe Mexica establish their capital on an island in Lake Texcoco.
PoliticsMansa Musa Ascends to the Throne of Malic. 1312 CE · Niani, MaliMansa Musa becomes the ruler of the Mali Empire, inheriting a wealthy state and expanding its influence.
CivilizationFoundation of Lamu as a Swahili City-Statec. 1300 CE · Lamu, KenyaThe city of Lamu is founded as a major trading port connecting the African interior to the Indian Ocean.
ArtEstablishment of Lapita Pottery Traditionc. 1300 BCE · New Britain, Papua New GuineaLapita potters develop distinctive dentate-stamped decoration techniques that define their culture.
DisasterHunting and Extinction of the Moa in New Zealandc. 1300 to 1450 CE · South Island, New ZealandIntensive hunting by Māori leads to the rapid extinction of the giant flightless moa birds.
PoliticsRaden Wijaya Founding of Majapahit Empire1293 CE · Trowulan, Java, IndonesiaRaden Wijaya defeats the Mongol invaders and establishes the Majapahit Empire in East Java.
WarDai Viet Repels Third Mongol Invasion1288 CE · Bach Dang River, VietnamTran Hung Dao defeats the Mongol fleet using stakes and tidal knowledge at Bach Dang.
ExplorationMāori Settlement of Aotearoa (New Zealand)c. 1280 CE · North Island, New ZealandPolynesian voyagers from East Polynesia arrive in Aotearoa, marking the last major human migration.
ScienceAbsence of Pottery in Māori Culturec. 1280 CE onwards · New ZealandMāori settlers abandon pottery making upon arrival in New Zealand due to lack of suitable clay and fuel.
WarBattle of Kadeshc. 1274 BCE · Syria/Lebanon BorderEgypt and Hittites clash in the largest chariot battle of antiquity resulting in a peace treaty.
WarBattle of Kadesh: Hittites vs. Egyptiansc. 1274 BCE · Kadesh (Tall al-Nabi Mind), SyriaRamesses II and Muwatalli II clash in the largest chariot battle of antiquity.
PoliticsSolomonic Restoration in Ethiopiac. 1270 CE · Lalibela, EthiopiaYekuno Amlak restores the Solomonic dynasty, claiming direct descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.
PoliticsSigning of the Egyptian-Hittite Peace Treatyc. 1259 BCE · Hattusa (Bogazkoy), Turkey / Thebes, EgyptRamses II and Hattusili III sign the world's first known peace treaty.
ReligionCompletion of Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks1251 CE · Haeinsa Temple, KoreaGoryeo completes the most complete Buddhist canon carved on woodblocks to repel Mongol invasion.
WarMongol Invasions of Goryeo Begin1231 CE · Seoul (Hanyang), KoreaMongol forces under General Saritai invade Goryeo, initiating decades of conflict and vassalage.
ReligionZoroaster Preaches Dualistic Monotheismc. 1200 BCE · Greater Khorasan, Iran/Afghanistan border regionThe prophet Zoroaster establishes a dualistic faith emphasizing the cosmic struggle between good and evil in ancient Persia.
CivilizationConstruction and Peak of Great Zimbabwec. 1200 CE · Great Zimbabwe, ZimbabweThe Great Zimbabwe complex reaches its zenith as a major trading hub connecting the interior to the Swahili coast.
TechnologyConstruction of the Benin Walls Beginsc. 1200 CE · Benin City, NigeriaMassive earthwork fortifications begin to encircle Benin City, creating one of the world's largest pre-modern structures.
ArtRock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela Completedc. 1200 CE · Lalibela, EthiopiaKing Lalibela commissions the construction of monolithic rock-hewn churches as a 'New Jerusalem'.
PoliticsEstablishment of the Kilwa Sultanatec. 1200 CE · Kilwa Kisiwani, TanzaniaThe Al-Mansur dynasty establishes the Kilwa Sultanate, dominating East African trade for centuries.
CivilizationSan Lorenzo Tenochtitlán Reaches Zenithc. 1200 BCE · San Lorenzo, Veracruz, MexicoOlmec San Lorenzo becomes the first major urban center in Mesoamerica.
ScienceCreation of the Dresden Codexc. 1200 CE · Chichen Itza/Maya Region, MexicoMaya scribes compile the Dresden Codex containing advanced astronomical tables.
ReligionComposition of the Rigvedac. 1200 BCE · Punjab Region (modern Pakistan/India)The oldest layer of the Vedas is composed orally in Sanskrit, preserving hymns to deities like Indra and Agni.
ReligionConstruction of Marae Complexes Across Polynesiac. 1200 CE · Society Islands, French PolynesiaPolynesian societies build extensive marae temple complexes for religious and social gatherings.
DisasterAbandonment of Hattusa by the Hittitesc. 1200 BCE · Hattusa (Bogazkoy), TurkeyThe Hittite capital is sacked and abandoned during the Bronze Age Collapse.
ReligionJayavarman VII Adopts Mahayana Buddhismc. 1180 CE · Angkor Thom, CambodiaKing Jayavarman VII converts to Mahayana Buddhism and builds the Bayon temple complex.
ReligionConsecration of Angkor Watc. 1150 CE · Angkor Wat, CambodiaKing Suryavarman II dedicates the massive temple complex to Vishnu, marking a shift from Hinduism.
WarJingkang Incident and Fall of Northern Song1127 CE · Kaifeng, ChinaJurchen Jin forces capture the Song capital, abducting emperors and forcing the dynasty south.
PoliticsThe Birdman Burial at Cahokia Mound 72c. 1050 CE · Cahokia, Illinois, USAA high-status Mississippian leader is buried with hundreds of sacrificial victims.
CivilizationConstruction of Monks Mound at Cahokiac. 1050 CE · Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Illinois, USAMississippian builders construct the largest pre-Columbian earthwork in North America.
WarChola Raid on Srivijaya1025 CE · Palembang, Sumatra (Srivijaya)Rajendra Chola I launches a naval raid destroying Srivijayan ports and disrupting trade.
WarGoryeo Repels Khitan Liao Invasion1018 CE · Pyongan Province, KoreaGeneral Gang Gam-chan defeats the Khitan Liao army at the Battle of Guichu River.
CivilizationRise of the Chimú Kingdom at Chan Chanc. 1000 CE · Chan Chan, PeruThe Chimú establish the largest adobe city in the Americas at Chan Chan.
ExplorationLapita Settlement in Western Samoac. 1000 BCE · Western SamoaLapita voyagers reach the Samoan archipelago, marking the first entry into Remote Oceania.
ScienceRefinement of Polynesian Wayfinding Techniquesc. 1000 BCE to 1500 CE · Pacific Ocean (Society Islands)Polynesian navigators perfect star paths and ocean swells to traverse the vast Pacific without instruments.
ReligionCodification of the Hawaiian Kapu Systemc. 1000 CE · Hawaii (Big Island), USAThe Hawaiian kapu system is formalized, establishing a rigid social hierarchy and religious code.
ScienceDiffusion of Sweet Potato (Kumara) to Polynesiac. 1000 CE · South America to PolynesiaThe sweet potato, originally from South America, is transported across the Pacific by Polynesian voyagers.
TechnologyConstruction of Double-Hulled Voyaging Canoesc. 1000 CE · Society Islands, French PolynesiaPolynesian shipbuilders perfect the double-hulled canoe for long-distance ocean voyaging.
PoliticsEmperor Taizu Establishes the Song Dynasty960 CE · Kaifeng, ChinaZhao Kuangyin seizes power in the Chenqiao Mutiny, founding the Northern Song and centralizing authority.
ExplorationHiram I of Tyre Supplies Cedar for Solomon's Templec. 960 BCE · Jerusalem / Tyre (Lebanon)King Hiram of Tyre provides cedar and craftsmen for the construction of Solomon's Temple.
ArtCarving of Olmec Colossal Headsc. 900 BCE · San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, MexicoThe Olmec civilization carves massive basalt heads depicting rulers, establishing the first major complex society in Mesoamerica.
ExplorationFoundation of Kilwa Kisiwani as a Major Trade Hubc. 900 CE · Kilwa Kisiwani, TanzaniaKilwa emerges as a dominant Swahili city-state controlling gold trade from Great Zimbabwe to the Indian Ocean.
CivilizationConsecration of La Venta's Great Pyramidc. 900 BCE · La Venta, Tabasco, MexicoThe first major pyramid in Mesoamerica is completed at La Venta.
WarHuang Chao Rebellion and Fall of Tang874 CE · Shandong Province, ChinaHuang Chao leads a massive peasant uprising that sacks Chang'an and destroys Tang authority.
ArtErection of the Black Obelisk by Shalmaneser IIIc. 825 BCE · Nineveh (Mosul), IraqShalmaneser III erects an obelisk depicting the submission of King Jehu of Israel.
ExplorationFoundation of Carthage by Phoenician Colonistsc. 814 BCE · Carthage (Tunis), TunisiaPhoenician settlers from Tyre establish the city of Carthage in North Africa.
PoliticsJayavarman II Declares Independence from Java802 CE · Mount Kulen, CambodiaJayavarman II performs the Devaraja ceremony, founding the Khmer Empire and declaring independence.