2. Long-Distance Trade
One of the first long-distance trade took place between Egypt and Meso.
Mostly luxury goods: spices, metals, textiles
Egypt also began trade with Nubia (Eastern Africa—see map ), as Nubia then
adopted Egyptian architecture (pyramids), dress, and religious deities (culture)
By 2300 BCE, Mesopotamia was also trading by sea with the Indus Valley,
as Indus ships arrived to Meso. with spices and other goods to trade
Indus traders and translators settled in Meso, and intermarried
Between the three areas, goods, culture, and religion were able to spread

4. Ancient Religions
Most religions were polytheistic (many gods) in the Foundational Era, and often reflected human personalities and the environment
Example, many gods were jealous, angry, lustful, unstable, and unpredictable, just like human beings and their environments (floods, famine, etc.)
Animism – some ancient religions worshiped inanimate objects (volcanoes, the sun, etc.), and made sacrifices or rituals in their honor
Shamanism – some tribes had a shaman who could ‘connect’ with the spirit world, heal, and have visions
Ancestral veneration – in East Asia (modern-day China, Japan, and Korea), families honored and prayed to ancestors for protection, and erected shrines to honor them
Example: Mulan!

5. Major Migrations
Around 1800 BCE, chariot-riding, iron-wielding Caucasian (Indo-Europeans)
began to migrate and conquer vast regions of Europe, the Middle East, and India
This migration and conquest wiped out many ancient cities and civilizations,
replacing them with modern-day Persians, Celts, Germans, Greeks, and Indians
They also were responsible for the spread of their religions and the
Indo-European language (the largest language branch in the world)
Additionally in Africa, the Bantu people began to
migrate from Western to Eastern and Southern Africa
Along their way, they brought with them iron-making skills,
their Bantu language, and Bantu agricultural techniques / civilization

6. Aryan Migration (chariot driven) – 1800 BCE - Spread of Indo-European Language

7. Bantu Migration – 1000 BCE