You say:
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My understanding of approximate earliest dates for these civilizations (all BCE):
Olmec 750-1000
Xia 2200
Indus 2700
Egypt(OK) 2700
Minoan 2500
Mesopotamia 5500
Of course it depends to some extent on how you define civilization.
First the Olmec according to my research is c. 1200-600 B.C.E.
In Chinese traditional history the Xia, are dated to start c. 2200 B.C.E. all right but alternative traditions date the Xia to start c. 1950 B.C.E.
The start of the Indus civilization is a matter of contention; any date from 2800 - 2400 B.C.E. is "valid".
THe date for Egyptian is ussually given as 3100-3000 B.C.E., at about the same time the semi-legendary Menes united Upper and Lowere Egypt.
As for Minoan like Indus it is a matter of contention although certainly by 2200 B.C.E.
As for Mespotamia your date is a probably too early the usual dates given are 3500 - 3000 B.C.E.
Pierre
