Final answer:
The cradle of Western civilization was located in Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq and parts of Iran, where many foundations of society such as agriculture, written language, and engineering originated. Along with Ancient Egypt, it played a vital role in the development of technologies and structures of Western Civilization. Cultural anthropologists also identify other regions as centers of early civilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cradle of Western civilization was found in the region of the Middle East, particularly in Mesopotamia. This area, synonymous with modern-day Iraq and parts of Iran, was identified in the early 20th century as the birthplace of many fundamental aspects of civilization. Mesopotamia is known for the development of technologies crucial to societal advancement, such as agriculture, which led to the rise of early cities and empires, as well as the creation of written language, mathematics, astronomy, and engineering.
Moreover, Mesopotamia and Egypt are recognized as significant regions for the development of Western Civilization, contributing essential technologies and organizational structures. It is important to recognize that the origins of Western Civilization are rooted in the Middle East and North Africa, not in Europe. Elements like scientific inquiry, major world religions, and foundational aspects of civil engineering originated in these ancient cultural hearths.
Cultural anthropologists have expanded the definition of the Cradle of Civilization beyond Mesopotamia to include other regions like Ancient Egypt along the Nile, the Indus Valley, Ancient China, the Central Andes, and Mesoamerica. These centers saw the independent start of different civilizations, characterized by written language, agriculture, and urban development, forming the groundwork for contemporary societies.