Thinking in English 370. What is the World’s Oldest Civilisation? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Jan 12, 2026
The debate over the world's oldest civilisation heats up as listeners weigh in on claims from Egypt, China, and San Marino. The exploration uncovers the differences between countries and civilisations. Key features defining a civilisation, like urban culture and writing systems, are discussed. The concept of 'cradles of civilisation' is introduced, leading to a deep dive into Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, the Indus Valley, and more. Ultimately, the discussion reveals that no single definition can pinpoint the oldest civilisation, leaving history open to interpretation.
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What Defines A Civilisation
- A civilisation forms when cities, government, social roles, culture and often writing appear together.
- These combined features transform villages into complex, organised societies.
Cradles Explain Independent Births Of Civilisations
- A 'cradle of civilisation' marks regions where humans shifted from villages to urban, organised life.
- Writing and surplus food were key drivers enabling rapid societal growth in those cradles.
Six Independent Cradles
- Historians identify six primary cradles: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, China, Mesoamerica and the Andes.
- Each region developed complex societies independently and in different ways.