3rd millennium BC

(4th millennium BC – 3rd millennium BC – 2nd millennium BC – other millennia)

Events

• Syria: Foundation of the city of Mari (29th century BC )
• Iraq: Creation of the Kingdom of Elam
• Germination of the Bristlecone pine tree "Methuselah" about 2700 BC, the oldest known tree still living now
• Dynasty of Lagash in Sumeria
• Golden age of Ur in Mesopotamia. (2474–2398 BC)
• First dynasty of Babylon
• Babylon conquers Sumeria and Elam
• Third and Fourth dynasties in Egypt.
• Unified Indus Valley Civilisation (2600 BC)
• Indo-Europeans first invade Greece (23rd century BC)
• Megalithic and Beaker culture prevalent in northwest Europe.
• mid- to late 3rd millennium, Hellenic immigration to the Greek mainland.

Environmental changes

• Major migration of Central Saharans into West Africa possibly due to climate change starting in 4th millennium BC.

Significant persons

• Djoser, king of Egypt, commissions the Step Pyramid at Saqqara.
• Khufu, king of Egypt, builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza
• Urukagina, king of Lagash, creates the first known judicial code. (24th century BC)
• Lugalsaggizi, king of Uruk and Umma conquers Lagash (2371–2347 BC)
• Sargon the Great, founder of the empire of Akkad and Sumeria (2371–2316 BC middle chronology)
• Ur-Nammu founder of the 3rd dynasty of Ur (2112–2095 BC middle chronology)

Cultures

• Battle-axe people
• Beaker people
• Maikop culture
• Vinca culture

Inventions, discoveries, introductions

• Pottery developed in Americas (30th century BC)
• Domestication of the horse in Central Asia
• Chinese record a comet
• Building of the Great Pyramid of Giza (26th century BC)
• Sails used on ships (20th century BC)
• First ziggurats built in Sumeria
• Near East civilizations enter Bronze Age around 3000 BC
• Oldest known medicine wheel constructed in the Americas

Cultural landmarks

• Completion of the Great Pyramid of Giza
• Completion of first phase of Stonehenge monument in England

Centuries

• 30th century BC
• 29th century BC
• 28th century BC
• 27th century BC
• 26th century BC
• 25th century BC
• 24th century BC
• 23rd century BC
• 22nd century BC
• 21st century BC