Student Question

Why is human history so short?

Quick answer:

Human history is considered short because writing, which marks the beginning of recorded history, was only invented recently, around 3400 BC by the Sumerians. Prior to this, humans did not have advanced cultures or a need for writing, as they relied on hunting and gathering. With the advent of agriculture around 10,000 years ago, societies developed, necessitating record-keeping and the eventual development of writing, which allowed history to be documented.

Expert Answers

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In addition to our lack of recorded history, human beings have not had advanced culture until fairly recently. Compared to the age of the globe, humans as we think of them today are pretty new. Of course, if you do not believe in evolution the answer would be that humans have only been around since God created them.
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Human history is short because people only invented writing a very short time ago.  We typically say that history can only exist when there is writing so that events can be recorded.

Human beings have only been able to grow food for themselves (as opposed to hunting and gathering) for something like 10,000 years.  Before that, writing was not at all likely to develop because there was no need for it.  With agriculture came governments and business and other things that needed records kept.  This led to the development of writing, which is believed to have started around 6000 BC.  The Sumerians developed the first known system of writing by 3400 BC.

Writing is not an obvious thing for people to do.  It therefore took a long time before writing was invented and history could begin.

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