Browse historical cultures
Mature Harappan Culture
Urban phase of the Indus Valley civilization.
Mauryan Empire
Large South Asian empire associated with Chandragupta and Ashoka.
Maya Civilization
Mesoamerican civilization with city-states, hieroglyphic writing, mathematics, and calendar systems.
Maykop Culture
Bronze Age culture of the north Caucasus known for rich burials and metalwork.
Median Empire
Iranian kingdom and imperial power preceding Achaemenid Persia.
Medieval Serbian Culture
South Slavic medieval culture and kingdom/empire of Serbia.
Mehrgarh Culture
Early farming and village culture in Baluchistan, important for South Asian Neolithic development.
Melanesian Cultures
Diverse cultures of island New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and neighbouring regions.
Merina Kingdom
Highland Malagasy kingdom centred on Imerina.
Meroitic Culture
Later Kushite culture centred on Meroe with distinctive script and iron-working.
Mexica Civilization
Nahuatl-speaking imperial culture centred on Tenochtitlan.
Mexican Culture
Modern culture shaped by Indigenous Mesoamerican, Spanish, Catholic, and national traditions.
Micronesian Cultures
Diverse island cultures of the western and central Pacific.
Ming Civilization
Imperial Chinese dynasty known for state restoration, maritime voyages, and material culture.
Minoan Crete
Bronze Age palatial culture centred on Crete.
Mississippian Culture
Southeastern and midwestern North American mound-building culture with chiefdoms and maize agriculture.
Mitanni Kingdom
Bronze Age Hurrian-speaking kingdom in northern Mesopotamia and Syria.
Mixtec Culture
Oaxacan Mesoamerican culture known for codices, goldwork, and city-states.
Moabite Culture
Iron Age Transjordanian kingdom and culture east of the Dead Sea.
Moche Culture
North coast Andean culture known for huacas, metallurgy, and portrait ceramics.