First Civilization Arose In Asia The world's first civilization arose in Asia, and for the next over 5000 years, the history of the Eastern Hemisphere would remain Asia-centered. The civilization of Mesopotamia arose around 3500BCE and its livelihood was based on the Tigris-Euphrates River. This event marked the emergence of many other civilizations. Soon thereafter, arose Egypt (Africa), the Indus Valley (Asia) in 2500BCE, and the Yellow River Valley in China in 1500BCE. These four agrarian societies could support much larger populations and were centered around rivers. The rivers played a major