Part 3/9:
The Dawn of Civilization: From Caves to Cradles of Culture
As the Ice Age receded, settled societies began to emerge. The megaliths, like those at Stonehenge, represent early communal religious rituals and beliefs about ancestry. While Europe was slowly forming its identities, great civilizations were flourishing elsewhere, such as in Egypt and Mesopotamia.
The term "Europe" itself is rooted in Greek mythology, tracing its origins to the legend of Europa and Zeus. As trade and cultural interactions increased, islands like Crete emerged as central hubs of commerce and innovation, leading to the rise of the Minoans — the first advanced civilization in Europe, known for their complex social structure and legal codes.