Sumer and Caral
FROM QUORA
There are two civilizations which can contend for the title of the oldest, in terms of how early they developed and one that is oldest by duration.
The two civilizations that we have archaeological evidence developed first were Sumer and Caral.
Sumerians are far more well known, as they developed in the Old World and as such they were and are studied intensively. They developed cities, writing and a stratified society (rulers and priests, working class and peasants) at around 3500 BC. Their first city is held to be Uruk, even though the Sumerians themselves list Eridu as the first city.
Ruins of the ziggurat of Uruk. There isn't much left of Eridu.
The second civilization dated to arise around the same time is the practicality obscure Caral and Norte Chico civilization in modern-day Peru. It's first city at Huaricanga is dated to 3500 BC though apparently stratified society did not appear until a millenium later, so depending on how narrow or wide your criteria for civilization is, you may discount it as being equally old as Sumer.
Ruins at Huaricanga. The dry climate does wonders for preservation.
The civilization that is oldest by duration on the other hand is China. Even if we discount the Xia dynasty (2070–1600 BC) for which there is no conclusive evidence as of yet, the Chinese civilization runs unbroken from the beginning of the Shang dynasty in 1600 BC. Of course it underwent change over time as everything does but it displays obvious contiunity. The best example is Shang writing:
By the way that's a turtle shell.
I have a theory that Caral might be the start of demonic slavery
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