690 – 705★★★★★
Wu Zetian proclaims herself emperor
Wu Zetian founds her own Zhou dynasty, becoming the only officially recognised female emperor in Chinese history.
Politics· China
Events this year
Ongoing
c. 3rd century – c. 9th century★★★★★
Classic period of Maya civilization
Maya city-states such as Tikal, Palenque and Calakmul reach their height in architecture, writing, astronomy and calendrics.
CultureScience· Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras
c. 3rd century – c. 11th century★★★★★
The Ghana Empire in West Africa
The Soninke Ghana Empire (Wagadu) flourished in what is now Mauritania and Mali, growing rich from control of the trans-Saharan gold and salt trade.
DynastyEconomy· Mauritania, Mali
661 – 750★★★★★
Umayyad Caliphate founded
Muawiya I establishes the Umayyad dynasty with its capital at Damascus, making the caliphate hereditary.
DynastyPolitics· Syria