Ancient Asian Cultures

Asia, the largest and most populous continent, has been home to some of the earliest and most influential civilizations in human history. The anthropology and archaeology of Asia reveal a long record of urban settlements, religious traditions and ways of life ranging from great cities to mobile herding societies. Because the continent spans such varied environments — river valleys, mountains, deserts and steppe — its cultures developed in many different directions.

One of the oldest urban cultures was the Indus Valley civilization, which flourished in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India. Cities such as Harappa featured planned street grids, drainage systems and standardised brickwork, evidence of advanced social organisation, although its script has never been deciphered. Far to the southeast, the Khmer Empire built the vast temple complex of Angkor Wat in present-day Cambodia, originally a Hindu temple later used for Buddhist worship and counted among the largest religious monuments in the world.

Not all Asian cultures built cities. The grasslands of Central Asia supported nomadic peoples, including the Mongolian herders whose mobility and horsemanship shaped the history of the steppe. Such nomadic societies depended on herding animals and moving with the seasons, and at times formed powerful confederations. Studying these diverse cultures, from settled river valleys to wandering tribes, shows the many forms human society has taken across Asia.

Frequently asked questions

What was the Indus Valley civilization?

It was an early urban culture in the Indus region, with planned cities such as Harappa featuring drainage and standardised brick construction. Its writing remains undeciphered.

What is Angkor Wat?

Angkor Wat is a huge temple complex in Cambodia built by the Khmer Empire, first as a Hindu temple and later a Buddhist site, and one of the largest religious monuments ever built.

How did nomadic steppe peoples live?

Steppe nomads such as Mongolian herders moved seasonally with their animals, relying on horses and livestock rather than permanent farming settlements.