Also, modern man emerged in the cradle of civilization - Europe, Ethiopia.
Europe's was a late civilization. It there a point to denying the existence for numerous others from Ur and the Sumerians on?
Anatomically modern humans first appear in Africa, and appear in the Middle East before they begin to show up in Europe.
Is there some reason this troubles you?
Cradle of civilization was in the Middle (Near) East. Same place where Christian religion was born. The oldest part was Mesopotamia/Sumer (todays Iraq)