Civilisations

Browse historical cultures

Mari Civilization

Bronze Age city-state on the Euphrates known from palace archives.

Mataram Kingdom

Javanese Hindu-Buddhist kingdom associated with central Java temples.

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.