FX.co ★ Five world’s oldest nations

Egypt

The history of ancient Egyptian civilization began around 6000 BC. Scientists estimate that various groups of hunter-gatherers settled in the Nile River Valley around this time. However, the foundation for a powerful state was laid much later when in 3100 BC King Menes decided to unite Upper and Lower Egypt into a single kingdom. This event marked the beginning of the era of the pharaohs and the emergence of a centralized power. That is why Egypt today is considered the oldest country in the world.

India

India as a nation came into being during the Vedic period which lasted from 1500 to 500 BC. This time is marked by the composition of Vedic texts on the territory of the Indo-Gangetic plain. Vedic civilization laid the foundations of Hinduism and its associated Indian culture. This period, considered to be the heyday of Indian culture, followed the period of the Indus Valley Civilization, which began around 3300 BC.

Afghanistan

Known for its ancient past, Afghanistan was an important part of the Indus Valley Civilization, spanning from 3300 to 1300 BC, and included the trading colony of Shortugai, founded around 2000 BC. This village near the Oxus River was associated with lapis lazuli deposits and was the northernmost settlement of the Indus civilization. During the reign of Darius I, around 500 BC, Afghanistan became part of the Achaemenid Empire and was later conquered by Alexander the Great. In 1973, the country was transformed into a unitary presidential Islamic republic.

China

The Xia Dynasty, considered the first in Chinese history, lasted from 2070 to 1600 BC. Despite the lack of direct written evidence about it, archaeologists discovered some artefacts that confirm its reality. For example, during excavations in 1959 in the Erlitou region (Henan Province), scientists discovered the remains of an ancient palace complex dating back to this period. Many artefacts were found on its territory, similar to more products produced in China in later periods.

Georgia

Georgia, one of the most ancient states, began its history from the kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli (Iberia), which existed since 1500 BC. These kingdoms, located in the Caucasus region, played an important role in Eurasia during the Bronze Age. In the 12th century BC, early state formations were formed on the territory of Georgia, ruled by kings. In the 6th century BC, the Greeks founded small city-states on the Black Sea coast of Georgia, such as Phasis and Dioscurias, which were eventually completely assimilated by the local Colchians.