Because we are always unearthing new ancient findings, this answer changes over time. Currently, however, the city of Jiroft, uncovered in 2001 in modern day Iran, is currently considered by many the oldest city and the first civilization. It was a radical shift and the beginning of civilization. Prior to this, we believed the first cities to be in the Indus valley in India or in the Fertile Crescent in Iraq. What was found in Jiroft is the earliest evidence we have of an organized society. Unfortunately, however, because it took archaeologists so long to unearth Jiroft, it suffered great damage at the hands of looters, which has left us in the dark as to how the city functioned and its culture.