What is the oldest civilization on Earth?

地球上最古老的文明是什么？

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The oldest recorded civilization in human history is generally considered to be the Sumerian civilization, which emerged in the region of ancient Mesopotamia, in what is now southern Iraq, around the 4th millennium BCE (approxmately 4000-3500 BCE). Sumer is often referred to as the "Cradle of Civilization" because it was one of the earliest known societies to develop complex systems of government, writing, agriculture, and urbanization.

Key characteristics and achievements of the Sumerian civilization include:

人类历史上最古老的文明通常被认为是苏美尔文明，它出现在古代美索不达米亚地区，即现在的伊拉克南部，大约在公元前4千年(大约公元前4000-3500年)。苏美尔经常被称为“文明的摇篮”，因为它是已知最早发展出复杂的政府、文字、农业和城市化系统的社会之一。

苏美尔文明的主要特征和成就包括：

Writing: The Sumerians are credited with inventing one of the world's earliest writing systems, known as cuneiform. Cuneiform involved the use of wedge-shaped characters impressed onto clay tablets. This system was initially developed for administrative and record-kee purposes but later evolved to include literature, myths, and religious texts.

City-States: Sumerian city-states, such as Ur, Uruk, and Eridu, were among the world's first urban centers. They had well-organized governments, including kings and priests, and developed complex social hierarchies.

文字：苏美尔人发明了世界上最早的文字系统之一—楔形文字。楔形文字是将楔形文字刻在泥板上。这个文字系统最初是为了管理和记录而出现的，但后来发展到文学、神话和宗教文本。

城邦：苏美尔的城邦，如乌尔、乌鲁克和埃利都，都是世界上最早的城市中心之一。他们有组织良好的政府，包括国王和牧师，并形成了复杂的社会等级制度。

Agriculture: Sumerians practiced advanced agriculture, including the cultivation of crops like barley and wheat, and the development of irrigation systems to support their agricultural endeavors.

Architecture: Sumerians built monumental structures, including ziggurats (temple towers) and city walls. The ziggurat of Ur, for example, is a famous architectural achievement.

Mathematics and Astronomy: Sumerians made significant contributions to mathematics and astronomy. They developed a numerical system based on the number 60, which is still used for measuring time (60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour). They also made observations of celestial bodies and tracked the movements of planets.

农业：苏美尔人总结除了先进的农业技术，包括大麦和小麦等作物的种植以及灌溉系统，可以支撑他们的农业活动。

建筑：苏美尔人建造纪念性建筑，包括金字塔(神庙塔)和城墙。例如，乌尔的金字塔就是著名的建筑成就。

数学和天文学：苏美尔人对数学和天文学做出了重大贡献。他们研究出了一个以数字60为基础的数字系统，这个数字至今仍用于计量时间(一分钟60秒，一小时60分钟)。他们还观察天体，追踪行星的运动。

Religion and Mythology: Sumerians had a rich pantheon of gods and goddesses and a complex mythology. Their religious beliefs and practices influenced later civilizations in the region, including the Babylonians and Assyrians.

The Sumerian civilization eventually gave way to other prominent civilizations in Mesopotamia, such as the Akkadian Empire and the Babylonian Empire. These civilizations built upon the foundations laid by the Sumerians, sha the course of human history in the ancient Near East.

宗教和神话：苏美尔人崇拜众神，创造出了复杂的神话体系。他们的宗教信仰和习俗影响了该地区后来的文明，包括巴比伦和亚述人。

苏美尔文明最终让位于美索不达米亚其他伟大文明，如阿卡德帝国和巴比伦帝国。这些文明建立在苏美尔人奠定的基础之上，塑造了古代近东人类历史的进程。

Saadab Ansari

The oldest recorded civilization is the Mesopotamian civilization. It emerged in the region of Mesopotamia, which is located in modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, and Syria. The earliest evidence of human settlement in Mesopotamia dates back to around 10,000 BC. However, the first true civilization did not emerge until around 3500 BC.

The Mesopotamian civilization was a complex society with a sophisticated culture. They developed writing, mathematics, astronomy, and law. They also built large cities, such as Ur, Babylon, and Nineveh. The Mesopotamian civilization had a profound impact on the development of other civilizations in the region, such as the Egyptian and the Indus Valley civilizations.

有记载的最古老的文明是美索不达米亚文明，起源于美索不达米亚地区，位于今天的伊拉克、科威特和叙利亚。人类在美索不达米亚定居的最早证据可以追溯到公元前10000年左右。但直到公元前3500年左右才出现第一个真正的文明。

美索不达米亚文明是一个拥有复杂文化的复杂社会。他们发展了文字、数学、天文学和法律。他们还建造了大城市，如乌尔、巴比伦和尼尼微。美索不达米亚文明对该地区其他文明的发展产生了深远的影响，如埃及文明和印度河流域文明。

The other four oldest civilizations are:

The Egyptian civilization emerged in the Nile River Valley around 3100 BC. It was a highly centralized society with a powerful ruler, the pharaoh. The Egyptians built the Pyramids and other impressive monuments. They also developed a sophisticated writing system, hieroglyphs.

The Indus Valley civilization emerged in the Indus River Valley around 3300 BC. It was a well-organized society with a complex urban planning. The Indus Valley people built large cities, such as Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. They also developed a system of writing, but it has not yet been deciphered.

另外四个最古老的文明是：

大约公元前3100年，尼罗河流域出现了埃及文明。这是一个高度的社会，有强大的统治者，法老。埃及人建造了金字塔和其他令人印象深刻的纪念碑。他们还发明了一种复杂的书写系统—象形文字。

印度河流域文明大约在公元前3300年出现在印度河流域。这是一个组织有序的社会，有着复杂的城市规划。人们在印度河流域建造了大城市，如摩亨佐-达罗和哈拉帕。他们还发明了一套文字系统，但至今尚未被破译。

The Chinese civilization emerged in the Yellow River Valley around 2200 BC. It is one of the longest-lasting civilizations in the world. The Chinese developed a sophisticated writing system, the Chinese characters. They also made important advances in science, technology, and philosophy.

The Mayan civilization emerged in Mesoamerica around 2000 BC. It was a highly developed civilization with a complex religious system. The Maya built large pyramids and temples. They also developed a system of writing, but it has not yet been fully deciphered.

中华文明起源于公元前2200年左右的黄河流域，是世界上最悠久的文明之一。中国人发明了一种复杂的书写系统—汉字，还在科学、技术和哲学方面取得了重大进展。

玛雅文明大约在公元前2000年出现在中美洲。这是一个高度发达的文明，有着复杂的宗教体系。玛雅人建造了大型金字塔和庙宇。他们还发明了一套文字系统，但至今尚未被完全破译。

Ujjal Ghosh

The oldest recorded civilization is the Mesopotamian civilization, which exsted in the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what is now Iraq. The Sumerians, who are considered the first civilization, developed in this region around 4000 BCE.

The Mesopotamian civilization was characterized by its advanced agriculture, writing system, and city-states. The Sumerians also made significant contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and literature.

有记载的最古老的文明是美索不达米亚文明，存在于底格里斯河和幼发拉底河之间的地区，即现在的伊拉克。人们普遍认为苏美尔人是第一个文明，大约公元前4000年形成于这个地区。

美索不达米亚文明以其先进的农业、文字系统和城邦为特征。苏美尔人在数学、天文学和文学方面也做出了重大贡献。

Other ancient civilizations that are considered to be among the oldest include:

The Egyptian civilization: The Egyptian civilization developed along the Nile River in North Africa around 3100 BCE. The Egyptians were known for their pyramids, hieroglyphic writing system, and mummification process.

The Indus Valley civilization: The Indus Valley civilization developed in the Indus River Valley in South Asia around 3300 BCE. The Indus Valley civilization was known for its well-planned cities, drainage system, and seals with pictographic writing.

其他被认为是最古老的古代文明包括：

埃及文明：大约在公元前3100年，埃及文明沿着北非的尼罗河发展起来。埃及人因金字塔、象形文字系统和木乃伊制作工艺而闻名天下。

印度河流域文明：大约公元前3300年，印度河流域文明在南亚的印度河流域发展起来。印度河流域文明以其精心规划的城市、排水系统和带有象形文字的印章而闻名。

The Chinese civilization: The Chinese civilization developed in the Yellow River Valley in East Asia around 2200 BCE. The Chinese are known for their contributions to philosophy, science, and technology.

中华文明：大约公元前2200年，中华文明在东亚的黄河流域发展起来。中国人以其对哲学、科学和技术的贡献而闻名。

Malik Hussnain

The question of the oldest civilization on Earth is a subject of ongoing debate among historians and archaeologists. Several civilizations are considered contenders for this title:

地球上最古老的文明是历史学家和考古学家一直争论的话题，有几个文明很有竞争力：

1) Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, and Syria): This region, dating back to around 4000 BCE (approxmately 6000 years ago), is known for being home to the world's earliest known cities, including Uruk, Ur, and Babylon. The Mesopotamian civilization made significant advances in agriculture, writing, and mathematics.

2) Egypt (modern-day Egypt): Egypt, which dates back to around 3000 BCE, is known for being home to the world's oldest known pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Valley of the Kings. Egyptian civilization made notable contributions in architecture, engineering, and religion.

1) 美索不达米亚(今天的伊拉克、科威特和叙利亚)：这个地区的历史可以追溯到公元前4000年左右(大约6000年前)，拥有世界上最早的城市，包括乌鲁克、乌尔和巴比伦。美索不达米亚文明在农业、写作和数学方面取得了重大进步。

2) 埃及(现在的埃及)：埃及的历史可以追溯到公元前3000年左右，拥有世界上最古老的金字塔、狮身人面像和帝王谷。埃及文明在建筑、工程和宗教方面做出了显著的贡献。

3) Indus Valley Civilization (modern-day Pakistan and India): This civilization is renowned for its advanced urban planning and a sophisticated system of irrigation canals. It is divided into three phases: the Early Harappan Phase (3300 to 2600 BCE), the Mature Harappan Phase (2600 to 1900 BCE), and the Late Harappan Phase (1900 to 1300 BCE).

4) China (modern-day China): China is home to the world's oldest known continuous civilization. With a history of nearly 5,000 years, Chinese civilization showcases advancements in technology, philosophy, and art. The first written records in China date back to the fourth millennium BCE.

3) 印度河流域文明(今天的巴基斯坦和印度)：这个文明以其先进的城市规划和复杂的灌溉渠道系统而闻名。它分为三个阶段：早期哈拉帕阶段(公元前3300年至2600年)，鼎盛的哈拉帕阶段(公元前2600年至1900年)和晚期哈拉帕阶段(公元前1900年至1300年)。

4) 中华文明(现代中国)：中国是世界上已知的最古老的延续至今的文明的发源地。中国文明拥有近5000年的历史，在科技、哲学和艺术方面都取得了巨大的进步。中国最早的文字记录可以追溯到公元前四千年。

Determining the oldest civilization definitively is challenging due to each civilization's distinct achievements. Nevertheless, all of these civilizations played significant roles in the development of human civilization.

Apart from these major civilizations, there are other ancient civilizations that could also be considered contenders for the title of the oldest civilization on Earth:

每个文明都有不同的成就，很难决定哪一个才是最古老的文明。这些文明都在人类文明的发展中发挥了重要作用。

除了这些主要文明之外，还有其他古代文明也可以被认为是地球上最古老文明头衔的竞争者:

1) Mesoamerica (Mexco and Central America): This region is known for ancient civilizations such as the Maya, Aztec, and Olmec, which made significant advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and writing. The Classic period of Mesoamerica spans from 250 to 900 CE.

2) Peru (South America): Peru is home to the ancient Inca civilization, known for its advanced engineering skills and vast empire. The history of Peru spans ten millennia, encompassing various stages of cultural development along the country's desert coastline and in the Andes mountains.

1) 中美洲(墨西哥和中美洲)：该地区以玛雅、阿兹特克和奥尔梅克等古文明而闻名，这些文明在数学、天文学和写作方面取得了重大进步。中美洲的经典时期是从公元250年到900年。

2) 秘鲁(南美洲)：秘鲁是古印加文明的发源地，以先进的工程技术和庞大的帝国而闻名。秘鲁的历史跨越了一万年，涵盖了沿着该国沙漠海岸线和安第斯山脉的文化发展的各个阶段。

3) Greece (Southern Europe): Ancient Greece began to develop around 900 BCE, emerging from the Greek Dark Ages. It lasted until 600 CE and underwent numerous social, economic, political, and cultural changes. Greek civilization made significant contributions in philosophy, art, and literature.

4) Rome (Southern Europe): Ancient Rome, founded around 625 BC in the regions of ancient Italy known as Etruria and Latium, excelled in engineering, law, and government.

3) 希腊(南欧)：古希腊在公元前900年左右开始发展，一直持续到公元600年，经历了无数的社会、经济、政治和文化变革。希腊文明在哲学、艺术和文学方面做出了重大贡献。

4) 罗马(南欧)：古罗马大约在公元前625年建立于古意大利的伊特鲁里亚和拉提姆地区，在工程、法律和政府方面都很出色。

It is important to note several key points about these ancient civilizations:

这些古代文明有几个关键点：

1) The earliest civilizations were often situated in regions with easy access to trade routes, facilitating trade and the exchange of technologies and ideas.

2) The earliest civilizations were polytheistic, believing in multiple gods associated with natural forces.

3) Writing systems were developed by the earliest civilizations, enabling them to record history, laws, and religious beliefs.

1) 最早的文明往往位于贸易路线便利的地区，有利于贸易和技术和思想的交流。

2) 最早的文明是多神教的，相信与自然力量有关的众神。

3) 文字系统是最早的文明发展起来的，让人们得以能够记录历史、法律和宗教信仰。

4) Agriculture was a central aspect of these civilizations, with the cultivation of crops like wheat, barley, and rice, as well as the domestication of animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats.

5) The earliest civilizations developed systems of government, typically led by kings or queens.

6) Systems of law were also established in these civilizations to protect individual rights and maintain societal order.

4)农业是这些文明的核心，人们会种植小麦、大麦和水稻等作物，驯养牛、绵羊和山羊等动物。

5)最早的文明创造了政府，通常由国王或女王领导。

6)这些文明也建立了保护个人*利和维护社会秩序的法律制度。

7) Art and architecture flourished in the earliest civilizations, often serving religious and commemorative purposes.

8) These ancient civilizations served as crucial milestones in the development of human civilization, influencing later civilizations and leaving a lasting impact.

9) The oldest civilizations arose in fertile river valleys, which provided a reliable water source and abundant food supply. They were often situated in areas with a temperate climate, allowing for diverse agricultural practices.

7)在早期文明时期艺术和建筑十分发达，通常是为了宗教和纪念的目的。

8)这些古代文明是人类文明发展的重要里程碑，对后来的文明产生了深远影响。

9)最古老的文明起源于肥沃的河谷，河谷提供了可靠的水源和丰富的食物供应。这些文明通常位于气候温和的地区，人类可以从事多种农业活动。