Civilizations Averaged Just 340 Years

Social scientist Luke Kemp analyzed dozens of civilizations spanning from 3000 BCE to 600 CE and calculated that their average lifespan was about 340 years. He defined civilizations as agricultural societies with multiple cities, regional military dominance, and a continuous political structure. Eventually, many collapsed by losing social complexity, being absorbed into stronger societies, reorganizing into simpler forms, or disappearing as distinct political systems.

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