6th millennium BC
(7th millennium BC – 6th millennium BC – 5th millennium BC – other millennia)
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Events
- c. 5760 BC – The volcano Puy-de-Dôme erupts.
- c. 5600 BC – Beginning of the desertification of north Africa, which ultimately lead to the creation of the Sahara desert. It's possible this process pushed some natives into migrating to the region of the Nile in the east, thereby laying the groundwork for the rise of Egyptian civilization.
- c. 5600 BC – The Red Paint People become established in the region from present-day Labrador to New York state
- c. 5450 BC – Volcano Hekla eruption
- c. 5400 BC – Irrigation in Mesopotamia.
Environmental changes
- c. 5600 BC – According to the Black Sea deluge theory, the Black Sea floods with salt water. Some 3000 cubic miles (12,500 km³) of salt water is added, significantly expanding it and transforming it from a fresh-water landlocked lake into a salt water sea.
- 1 September 5509 BC – Day of creation of the world (according to the Byzantine Empire) and beginning of their calendar
- c. 5500 BC – Oceans rise several meters, followed by a subsidence in levels afterwards to that approximating the present.
Inventions, discoveries, introductions
- Agriculture appears in the valley of the Nile
- Rice cultivated in Asia
- Wheel and plough invented
- Artifacts of stone were supplemented by those of metal, and the crafts of basketry, pottery, weaving (Africa)
- Dead were buried in a fetal position, surrounded by the burial offerings and artifacts, facing west (Africa)
- Decorated, black-topped clay pots and vases; bone and ivory combs, figurines, and tableware, are found in great numbers (Africa)
- Jewelry of all types and materials (Africa)
- Objects began to be made not only with a function, but also with an aesthetic value. (Africa)
- Organized, permanent settlements focused around agriculture. (Africa)
Cultural landmarks
- c. 5500 BC – pottery at Mehrgarh in South Asia
- 5100s BC – Temples founded in South Mesopotamia