Local Histories

By Tim Lambert Early Nepal Nepal was known to the Ancient Indians. It was mentioned in classical Indian literature. In the 3rd century BC, the great Indian Emperor introduced Buddhism into Nepal. Nepal was also in contact with China. About 200 AD a people called the Lichavis took power in Nepal. Under them, Nepal flourished… Continue reading A Short History of Nepal

By Tim Lambert Early Oman As early as 2,300 BC Oman was recorded by the Sumerians of Ancient Iraq as being a rich source of copper. In Ancient Times Oman was also a source of frankincense. After about 500 BC Oman was controlled by the Persian Empire based in what is now Iran. Later they… Continue reading A Short History of Oman

By Tim Lambert The Early Philippines The Philippines was named after King Philip II of Spain (1556-1598) and was a Spanish colony for over 300 years. Today the Philippines is an archipelago of 7,000 islands. However, it is believed that during the last ice age, they were joined to mainland Asia by a land bridge,… Continue reading A Short History of The Philippines

By Tim Lambert The Foundation of Singapore According to legend, Singapore was founded centuries ago when a prince from Sumatra landed on the island and saw a lion. He took it as a good omen and founded a city called Singapura, which means lion city. The legend may or may not be true. The name… Continue reading A Short History of Singapore

By Tim Lambert Ancient Sri Lanka About 500 BC when a people called the Sinhalese migrated there from India. According to legend, the first settlers were led by a man named Vijaya. According to tradition, Buddhism was introduced into Sri Lanka in 260 BC by a man named Mahinda. It soon became an integral part… Continue reading A Short History of Sri Lanka

By Tim Lambert Early Thailand The earliest inhabitants of what is now Thailand were hunter-gatherers. However, about 4,000 BC they began farming. They grew rice. At first, the farmers used stone tools but about 3,000 BC bronze was discovered. From about 500 BC the people of what is now Thailand used iron. At first, what… Continue reading A Short History of Thailand

By Tim Lambert Ancient Tibet The earliest inhabitants of Tibet were pastoral people. They herded goats, cattle, and sheep. By 100 BC people in Tibet learned to irrigate the land and grew rice and barley as well as raised herds of livestock. In the 6th century AD, Tibet was divided into different kingdoms but early… Continue reading A Short History of Tibet

By Tim Lambert Ancient Vietnam About 2,000 years ago people in North Vietnam began growing rice in the Red River Valley. To irrigate their crops they built dikes and dug canals. They were forced to work together so an organized kingdom called Van Lang emerged. However, in the 2nd century BC, the Chinese conquered the… Continue reading A Short History of Vietnam

By Tim Lambert Early Argentina Before Europeans came to Argentina it was thinly populated. In the Northwest, people grew crops such as potatoes and squash. They sometimes lived in walled towns and they used metal and made pottery. However, most of the indigenous people lived by hunting animals and gathering plants. They continued their hunter-gatherer… Continue reading A Short History of Argentina

By Tim Lambert Early Bolivia The people of Bolivia were civilized for hundreds of years before the Spaniards conquered the area. The city of Tiahuanaco was founded in what is now Bolivia about 400 BC. At its peak, it had a population of about 40-50,000, and its people created great works of architecture. They also… Continue reading A Short History of Bolivia