6 million

Last common grandmother of humans and chimpanzees.

2.5 million

Evolution of the 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 usage of fire.

200 000

Homo sapiens evolves in East Africa.

70 000

The Cognitive Revolution. Emergence of imaginative language.

Beginning of history. Sapiens spread out of Africa.

45 000

Sapiens settle Australia.

30 000

Extinction of Neanderthals.

16 000

Sapiens settle the Americas.

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 – a universal political order ‘for the benefit of all humans’.

Buddhism in India – a universal truth ‘to liberate all beings from suffering’.

2 000

Han Empire in China.

Roman Empire in the Mediterranean.

Founding of Christianity.

1 400

Founding of Islam.

500

The Scientific Revolution.

Europeans begin to conquer America and the oceans.

200

The Industrial Revolution.

The Present

Humans begin space travel and exploration.