– Etymology
– Old World refers to Afro-Eurasia from the Bronze Age onwards
– Early civilizations developed in the temperate zone between the 45th and 25th parallels north
– Regions included the Mediterranean, North Africa, Mesopotamia, the Indian subcontinent, China, and parts of Sub-Saharan Africa
– Connected by the Silk Road trade route
– Iron Age followed the Bronze Age, leading to the Axial Age and cultural development
– Other Names
– Mainland of Afro-Eurasia is known as the World Island
– Term possibly coined by Sir Halford John Mackinder
– Excludes islands like the British Isles, Japan, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and the Malay Archipelago
– References
– BMJ Glob Health: How we classify countries and people
– Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Definition of Old World
– Nature: Article on calling America the New World
– Merriam-Webster Dictionary: Definition of New World
– American Diplomacy: Francis P. Sempa’s work on Mackinder’s World
– Geographical Significance
– Old World term originates from Europe in the 16th century
– Used to contrast Africa, Europe, and Asia with the New World (Americas)
– Eurocentric in nature, reflecting colonialism and racism
– Australia and Antarctica not classified as Old or New World due to discovery timing
– Terra Australis was the hypothetical southern continent associated with Australia and Antarctica
– Cultural Development
– Old World regions had parallel development of civilizations
– Notable civilizations in the Old World include Western, Near Eastern, and Far Eastern cultural spheres
– Development influenced by the Silk Road trade route
– Iron Age followed the Bronze Age in the Old World
– Axial Age marked significant cultural, philosophical, and religious developments
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The term "Old World" (Latin: Mundus Vetus) is an archaic 16th century term for Afro-Eurasia that originated in Europe c. 1493, after Europeans had become aware of the existence of the Americas. The term is one of several terms utilized to categorize and classify peoples and nations many view as having origins in colonialism and, by extension, racism. The term expresses Eurocentrism as it was used to contrast the continents of Africa, Europe, and Asia in the Eastern Hemisphere, previously thought of by Europeans as comprising the entire world, with the "New World", a term for the newly encountered lands of the Western Hemisphere, particularly the Americas. While located closer to Afro-Eurasia within the Eastern Hemisphere, Australia is considered neither an Old World nor a New World land, since it was only discovered by Europeans after the distinction had been made; both Australia and Antarctica were associated instead with the Terra Australis that had been posited as a hypothetical southern continent.
