Beginnings - 600 BCE

This course is a part of AP®︎ World History, a 4-course Topic series from Khan Academy.

Where did humans come from and how did those early communities function? How did the advent of agriculture change human society (neolithic revolution)?

This course contains 9 segments:

What is World History?

Before you begin, find out a little more about the discipline of World History!

The origin of humans and early human societies

The origin of humans and early human societies, a tutorial in Technological and environmental transformations (to c. 600 BCE), the first period in the AP World History course.

The Neolithic Revolution and the birth of agriculture

a tutorial in Technological and environmental transformations (to c. 600 BCE), the first period in the AP World History course.

Ancient Mesopotamia

Often referred to as the "cradle of civilization", we have some of our first major civilizations emerge along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers as early as 6000 years ago.

Ancient Egypt

When we think of the ancient world, the Egyptian pyramids and hieroglyphics come to mind, and for good reason. Ancient Egypt is one of the first and longest last significant civilizations that we currently know of. We will also discuss one of their key rivals, the Hittites.

Ancient India

Over 4000 years ago, the Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan) was one of the few technologically sophisticated civilizations on the plant. Their society declined for unknown reasons, but it roughly coincides with the migration of Indo-Aryans from the north west which starts the Vedic Period.

Shang China

The Shang Dynasty is the earliest dynasty for which there is a strong historical record in China. The Xia Dynasty purportedly predates it, but historians debate its historicity.

Ancient art and artifacts

Art history videos and other content from prehistory to 600 BCE that could supplement AP instruction.

Human innovation and the environment

Where do we think humans come from? How and why have we developed as a species. This tutorial attempts to give an overview of these truly fundamental questions. From human evolution (which is covered in more depth in the biology playlist) to the development of agriculture, this tutorial will give you an appreciation of where we've been (and maybe where we're going).