About 50,000 years ago, during the Vedic Age, the first group of people settled in Afghanistan—the Aryans. They settled in the Northeast of India, along the Ganges River. The Aryans were warlike people and were the builders of the new Indian civilization. They were among one of the many groups of Indo-European people who migrated across Europe and Asia seeking water and pasture for their horses. Not much is known about this group of people. Most of what we know about the Aryans comes from the Vedas, a collection of prayers, hymns, and other religious teachings. From the Vedas, we learn about their society and religious beliefs. Over time, the Aryans conquered lands in India, especially along the Ganges River. They mingled with the people they conquered and adapted to their culture. In 800 B.C., they learned how to make tools out of iron. By 500 B.C., they developed a written language, called Sanskrit. Priests used Sanskrit to record their sacred texts.

During the Han dynasty, from 206 B.C. to A.D. 220, China also made advances in many fields. Han emperors would set up a system of civil service exams to select officials to run the government. Physicians used acupuncture to relieve pain and treat illness. Cai Lun invented a method for making durable paper out of wood. Inventors developed practical tools like wheelbarrows and chain pumps. The Han period was one of the golden ages of Chinese civilization. As we can see, they made many achievements.

Many countries, from Persia all the way to China, have made an impact on Afghanistan. Its location in central Asia has been the greatest influence on its history because the invaders often settled there.

Rome imitated Greek culture and accomplishments. Greek art, literature, and scientific knowledge represented their height of cultural achievement. The Romans improved on devices such as the arch and the dome, which could roof large spaces. They also excelled in the practical arts of building, perfecting their engineering skills as they built roads, bridges, and harbors throughout the empire. Engineers built aqueducts, which are bridge like stone structures that brought water from the hills into Roman cities.

From 141 B.C. to 87 B.C., the most famous Han Emperor, Wu

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