Mesopotamia, often considered the cradle of civilization, facilitated key human advancements such as the invention of the wheel, the development of agriculture, and the rise of the first cities, significantly influencing the course of human history.

Here’s a look at six of the earliest civilizations—and the legacies they left to the world. 1. Mesopotamia, 4000-3500 B.C. Meaning “between two rivers” in Greek, Mesopotamia (located in modern-day Iraq, Kuwait and Syria) is considered the birthplace of civilization.