Ancient Civilizations That Don’t Get Enough Credit
Image Credit: Mathew Benjamin Brady via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under public domain
Throughout history, certain ancient civilizations have captivated the imagination of scholars and enthusiasts alike, often overshadowing others that made significant contributions to the development of human culture and society.
Civilizations such as Ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, and China are well known for their monumental achievements in architecture, philosophy, politics, and warfare. However, many lesser-known cultures also made extraordinary advancements that have largely remained hidden from public consciousness.
Here are a few ancient civilizations that achieved greatness during the height of their reigns but don’t get enough credit from modern humans looking back on it all.
The Tlaxcala
In a region where most societies fell to the mighty Aztecs, the Tlaxcala held their ground, engaging in prolonged warfare with the Aztec Empire and effectively resisting its expansion.
What makes the Tlaxcala especially intriguing is their role in the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Rather than resisting the arrival of the Spanish, the Tlaxcala formed an alliance with Hernán Cortés and helped defeat the Aztecs.
This strategic move allowed them to secure land and political concessions under Spanish rule, and their distinct cultural identity persisted for centuries. Though their military might and shrewd political maneuvers were crucial to the region’s fate, the Tlaxcala are often overlooked in favor of their more famous contemporaries.
The Elamites
Before the grandeur of the Persian Empire, the Elamites thrived in the region known today as southwestern Iran. Their civilization, which began around 3200 BC, is one of the oldest in the world and offers an intriguing glimpse into the early development of complex societies.
The Elamites are perhaps most famous for their advanced system of writing: Linear Elamite, a script that baffled scholars for centuries until it was deciphered in recent years. This achievement, along with their sophisticated urban planning and impressive metallurgical craftsmanship, underscores their cultural significance.
The capital of Elam, Susa, served as a political and economic hub for centuries and featured stunning architectural structures, some of which rivaled the grand designs of Mesopotamia.
Despite their notable contributions, the Elamites have often been relegated to the margins of history, overshadowed by the more famous civilizations of the ancient Near East.
The Minoans
The Minoan civilization, which flourished on the island of Crete from around 2000 BC to 1450 BC, is often overshadowed by later Greek achievements. The Minoans, however, were Europe’s first advanced civilization and made significant contributions to art, architecture, and trade.
The Palace of Knossos, their most famous site, featured advanced plumbing systems, stunning frescoes, and complex layouts that reveal the Minoans’ sophisticated understanding of architecture.
The Minoans were also masterful traders, establishing networks that reached across the Mediterranean. Their influence on later Greek culture is undeniable, yet their civilization remains largely underappreciated in the broader scope of ancient history.
The São
The São civilization, which thrived around Lake Chad in central Africa from at least 1000 BC, is a lesser-known but highly influential African culture. Despite leaving no written records, the São left behind extraordinary evidence of their civilization in the form of massive stone fortifications and intricate art.
These people were exceptional artisans, skilled in producing bronze and terracotta sculptures that reflect their advanced understanding of both art and metallurgy.
The São’s city-state-like societies, characterized by fortified urban centers and elaborate architectural structures, were a testament to their strength and ingenuity.
Unfortunately, their achievements have often not been considered due to the scarcity of written documentation and the overshadowing narratives of later African empires.
The Garamantes
In the Sahara Desert, the Garamantes established a thriving civilization between 500 BC and AD 500. The Garamantes mastered the art of desert survival, using underground water channels known as foggara to irrigate crops and sustain their settlements.
This innovation allowed them to cultivate fertile land in an otherwise unforgiving landscape, supporting an agricultural economy that enabled the flourishing of cities and trade routes.
The Garamantes were not just survivors; they were advanced engineers and architects, developing complex systems of roads, water management, and city planning.
Though their civilization eventually declined due to over-exploitation of resources, their contributions to desert agriculture and water management remain a remarkable feat of ancient engineering.
The Zapotecs
The Zapotec civilization, which flourished in southern Mexico from 700 BC to the 16th century, is another Mesoamerican culture that deserves more attention.
The Zapotecs were skilled architects, urban planners, and engineers who established the city of Monte Albán, a major cultural and political center that remains one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the Americas.
Monte Albán’s urban design was ahead of its time, featuring large plazas, temples, and elaborate tombs. The Zapotecs also developed an early form of writing and a calendar system that influenced later civilizations in the region.
Despite their achievements, the Zapotecs often remain overshadowed by the more famous Maya and Aztec civilizations, even though their influence on Mesoamerican culture was profound and lasting.
The Chavín
Nestled high in the Andean mountains, the Chavín civilization flourished from approximately 1500 BC to 300 BC in what is now modern-day Peru.
The Chavín people are best known for their remarkable art, including intricate stone carvings, ceramics, and textiles that depicted religious symbolism. Their primary site, Chavín de Huántar, is a testament to their architectural and engineering prowess, with labyrinthine tunnels, stone carvings, and advanced water management systems.
While the Inca Empire is often hailed as the most prominent civilization in the Andes, the Chavín were pioneers who laid the groundwork for Andean culture and spirituality.
The Nabateans
The Nabatean civilization, which thrived between the 4th century BC and AD 106, is best known for its stunning city of Petra, located in modern-day Jordan. Carved into the rose-red sandstone cliffs, Petra is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world.
The Nabateans were expert builders, engineers, and traders who developed an elaborate system of water management to sustain their city in the harsh desert environment.
Petra was a vital trading hub, connecting the Arabian Peninsula with the Mediterranean world, and the Nabateans became wealthy through the trade of spices, incense, and other valuable commodities.
However, despite their significant contributions to trade, architecture, and engineering, the Nabateans are forgoten in favor of the larger empires of the ancient world, such as Rome and Egypt.
The Hittites
The Hittites, who dominated Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) from around 1600 BC to 1200 BC, were a formidable power in the ancient world. They were among the first civilizations to develop ironworking technology, which revolutionized the production of weapons and tools.
The Hittites’ military prowess was matched only by their diplomatic skills; they famously signed the first known peace treaty in history with Egypt after the Battle of Kadesh.
The Hittites also left behind an impressive legal system, which served as a model for future civilizations.
The Phoenicians
The Phoenician civilization, which flourished from around 1500 BC to 300 BC, is often overshadowed by the rise of Greek and Roman power. However, the Phoenicians were one of the earliest seafaring civilizations and played a crucial role in shaping the Mediterranean world.
They established trade routes that stretched from the shores of modern-day Lebanon to North Africa and beyond, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures.
The Phoenicians are also credited with developing one of the earliest alphabets, which laid the foundation for many modern writing systems.
Their influence on trade, language, and navigation was profound, yet their civilization often remains in the shadow of their more well-known contemporaries.
Celebrating the Unsung Civilizations of the Past
The civilizations discussed in this article represent just a few of the many that have shaped human history in profound ways. Though they may not enjoy the same level of recognition as the Egyptians, Greeks, or Romans, their contributions to art, technology, governance, and trade were no less important.
By revisiting their stories, we can gain a richer, more complete understanding of the diverse and interconnected ancient civilizations that have influenced the world we live in today.
