The oldest subjects in the world are not very old at all — at least, when compared to humans.
The reason for this is that our knowledge of subjects goes back only as far as we have written records for it. Yet, humans have been learning ever since we existed.
Let’s take a little walk down history lane. As far back as four million years ago, the earliest humans developed skills relevant to their hunter-gatherer lives. From walking on two legs, to making and using new tools, and even communicating with each other — these were some of the first skills humankind learned.
Once basic, these skills would later transform into greater, more detailed professions like teaching and art. That’s where some of the oldest subjects in the world began — humans taught each other to hunt, gather, cook, and survive, and even draw on rock and stone.
Today, we’ve evolved into a far superior species. We now learn music and art in conservatoires, attend course lectures in large universities, and communicate with several different types of technology. Every day, new methods and technologies are being introduced, replacing the old with the new.
In turn, this raises a valid question — how long will the oldest subjects in the world last, and will they eventually be replaced?
Let’s discuss.
Today’s in-demand subjects focus on the relationship between man and machine. Source: AFP
Out with the old, in with the new
Let’s begin with an easy example.
Think of marketing, one of the most common subjects to pursue a degree in.
A decade ago, marketing students would learn about traditional marketing efforts such as newspaper advertisements, flyers, and billboards. Today, they learn about Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Google Ads.
Technology has advanced both our ability to learn, and the subject field we’re pursuing a degree in.
10 years ago, you wouldn’t think that a machine would replace your job. Today, machines and robots are already showing signs that they can code faster and better than humans, on top of creative tasks like translating conversations, writing, and even creating art.
Several countries are opening up opportunities for those interested in pursuing careers in technology. You’ll find global universities offering degrees in new subjects such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, sustainability, and data science. Investors are pouring billions into research, eager to invest in a digital future.
More than half (61%) of large US firms plan to use AI within 2025 to automate tasks previously done by employees, according to a 2024 report by CNN.
As such, we don’t have a clear outlook on what the world and the job market will look like in the next decade.
But there’s a silver lining. The oldest subjects in the world can never truly be replaced — although some are predicted to die out soon, there are timeless wisdom and skills that have stood the test of time.
Take a look below.
The pyramids are one of the marvels to arise from mathematics, one of the oldest subjects in the world. Source:AFP
10 oldest subjects in the world that are more than 1,000 years old:
1. Mathematics
Mathematics has been studied for thousands of years, with the earliest written records of it dating back to the third millennium BC.
Studying numbers, patterns, and structures has been a cornerstone of education since then — and it’s easy to understand why.
Ancient civilisations like Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece depended on people who could count and analyse massive troves of information well.
The oldest known mathematical object is the Ishango Bone, discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It dates back to around 20,000 BC and contains tally marks that are believed to represent early attempts at counting.
Concepts like geometry, algebra, and arithmetic have not only contributed to scientific and technological progress, enabling humans to calculate the dimensions of buildings and other structures, calculate the strength of structures, design safe and efficient buildings, determine the speed of a moving object, and so much more.
Medicine is one of the oldest subjects in the world. Source: Alain Jocard/AFP
2. Medicine
The art and science of healing have been practised since ancient times, making medicine one of the oldest subjects in the world.
Ancient medical systems can be seen from 1500 BCE with Ayurveda, a holistic system of medicine, emerging in ancient India.
Ayurveda and other ancient medical systems, such as traditional Chinese medicine and Hippocratic medicine, laid the foundation for subsequent medical knowledge. Over the past thousand years, medical advancements have revolutionised our understanding of anatomy, diseases, and treatments.
Singing is ancient, universal and practised by almost all cultures. The study of music, one of the oldest subjects in the world, explores why we do this and more. Source: AFP
3. Music
While there may not have been state-of-the-art recording studios, music is a field that’s been studied for thousands of years, especially in the evolution of musical traditions, instruments, and composition techniques.
Going as far back as 1400 BCE, the Hurrian Hymn is reportedly the oldest song in the world. Or, at least, the oldest that we know of.
The oldest known musical instrument is a bone flute discovered in Germany, dating back approximately 43,000 years.
Today, the study of music, known as musicology, explores the origins of both. This is in addition to the history, composition, performance, cultural context, and social and psychological effects of music.
Astronomy is one of the oldest subjects in the world that explores space, planets and galaxies. Source: Jason Connolly/AFP
4. Astronomy
Astronomy is a scientific discipline that focuses on the observation, understanding, and exploration of celestial objects and phenomena in the universe. It is the study of stars, planets, galaxies, comets, asteroids, and other astronomical objects.
Ancient civilisations like the Babylonians, Greeks, and Mayans made remarkable astronomical observations and developed systems to understand the cosmos.
However, while we have made significant strides in exploring and studying space, we have only scratched the surface of what lies beyond our planet.
As of now, experts have explored about 4% of the apparent space. The rest remains a mystery… for now.
5. Literature
The study of written works, including poetry, drama, and prose, has been practised for thousands of years.
From ancient epics like the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Mahabharata to classical literary masterpieces like Shakespeare’s plays and Dante’s Divine Comedy, literature provides a window into the human experience, moral dilemmas, and the power of storytelling.
Take William Shakespeare, for example. His vast knowledge has contributed significantly to the English language, introducing new words and phrases still in use today, something that ChatGPT will never be capable of. At least, not yet?
Having been around for over a thousand years, law is one of the oldest subjects in the world. Source: Jeff Pachoud/AFP
6. Law
Legal systems and the study of law have played a vital role in human society for centuries. Ancient legal codes, such as Hammurabi’s Code and Roman Law, established legal principles and regulations that have had a significant effect on the development of legal systems worldwide.
Over the past millennium, legal institutions and practices have evolved to address the complexities of modern society, ensuring justice and order.
Today, there are even new laws for things like AI regulation, such as the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. These laws aim to address issues such as data privacy, algorithmic discrimination, misinformation and even ethical production.
7. Philosophy
One of the oldest subjects that have persisted for over 1,000 years is philosophy. The study of philosophy delves into fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and the nature of reality.
Philosophy has its origins in ancient Greece, with famous philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. They laid the foundation for philosophical inquiry and explored various topics such as ethics, metaphysics, and logic.
Most people may wonder what philosophy majors actually do, and the answer is more obvious than you’d expect — they read, write, and argue well, essential tools to succeed in academia, politics or any industry.
cave art fills me with such a meaningful feeling bc a person, even 30,000 years ago with no established concept of art thought to use dyes and recreate an image that represents an element of their world and i think that’s neat https://t.co/mvAlGQhZ7S
— vonalt (@vonixbutmore) September 26, 2024
8. Art
Humans are artistic creatures. No matter how far into the future we are, the creation and appreciation of art in various forms is a fundamental aspect of our species.
The oldest known artwork is believed to be cave paintings created by early humans, dating back tens of thousands of years. The famous cave paintings at Lascaux in France are estimated to be around 17,000 years old.
Subjects like art history or art theory explore this by analysing and interpreting artistic works and their cultural and historical contexts. There are also various forms of visual art, including painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, and other artistic expressions.
9. Theology
Studying religious beliefs, practices, and theological concepts has been central to human culture for over a millennium. Religious traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and others have been studied and practised for over a thousand years.
The study of theology has ancient roots, dating back to civilisations such as ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and India. These early cultures had their own theological systems and beliefs.
Theology often involves the study and interpretation of religious texts. For example, in Christianity, the Bible is a central text for theological exploration, while in Islam, the Qur’an plays a similar role.
10. Linguistics
The scientific study of language, including its structure, origins, and usage, has been around for thousands of years. Its roots can be found in ancient Indian, Greek, and Chinese texts.
Scholars such as Pāṇini in India and Aristotle in Greece made significant contributions to understanding language structure and grammar.
There are approximately 7,000 languages spoken in the world today. Linguists study the structure, sounds, meaning, and usage of different languages to understand the complexity of human communication.
Disclaimer: This article was last updated on February 10, 2025.
