Year 2800 bce

Archaeology

Mycenaean invaders from the plains of the Black Sea and from Asia Minor begin an 800-year-long conquest of the native peoples occupying Greece. See also 1200 bce Archaeology.

Kings, called lugals ("big men"), replace councils of elders in the government of the city-states of Sumer. See also 3500 bce Archaeology; 2700 bce Archaeology.

Astronomical evidence shows that by 2782 bce the Egyptians have instituted a 365-day calendar, although the evidence can also indicate that the calendar was introduced as early as 4242 bce. See also 3114 bce Astronomy. (See essay.)

Corbeled arches and domes are common in Mesopotamia. Corbeling refers to building an arch or dome with layers of brick or stone set up so that each layer projects beyond the one beneath it, like an upside-down staircase. Contrary to popular belief, the true arch was also invented around this time, although its greatest use was thousands of years away during the Roman Empire. See also 3500 bce Construction; 1900 bce Construction.

The sweet potato is grown along the west coast of South America (Peru). See also 3100 bce Food & agriculture; 2400 bce Food & agriculture.