The hamster wheel of modern BS. The Bible shows us that the earth is less than 6200 years old. It isn't through the genealogies of a bunch of people, although those genealogies that are shown are tight. There is another way that is almost exactly accurate. Take a look at it at "Biblical Age of Earth" at http://www.albatrus.org/english/theology/creation/biblical_age_earth.htm.

Looked at 180 degrees opposite to Ed, 4000 BC is relatively recent history. We are not slaves to a social fiction, we are slaves to biology. The strongest ape has always demanded the obedience of all the others since before we descended from the trees. Desires for status or submission are inherent in biology (just look at S&M clubs). Terry Pratchett joked that the biggest fault in the human brain was the inclusion of an area that craved kings. All government has done was to create a class of middle-management apes to handle the bigger tribal size.