The Big Question: Which country is the origin of Martial Arts?

Although Martial Arts developed in nations worldwide, could they have all come from one source? Similarities in art styles in adjacent countries have posed the question of a single origin. Ultimately, historians have come up with three theories on the origin of these arts.

Theory 1: Greece
A popular theory describes the rise of Pankration in Ancient Greece. Indeed, Greek soldiers of the ancient world learnt this fighting style and used it against numerous opponents in different times. Alexander the Great's legendary conquest, the conquering of the majority of what was then the modern world, is considered to be the catalyst of all oriental martial arts. In the occupation of numerous nations, it is quite possible that Pankration spread in this way. While there is evidence to show that countries such as India already had pre-existing fighting methods, Pankration may still have had an influence on techniques and the way they were used. Pankration's influence on India would in turn, influence China, then Japan and Korea and so on, indirectly influencing martial arts across the world.

Theory 2: India
This theory is similar to the Greek theory- only without Greece. India did have ancient martial art systems predating Alexander the Great and may not have been influenced by Greece at all. Yoga-style exercises are the earliest form of martial arts found and this spread through Indian monks into China and so on.

Theory 3: There is no origin
This theory states that arts such as Pankration, Indian and Chinese martial arts are indigenous to their own country and martial arts is a 'coeval' discovery of each nation. Indeed most countries have evidence of primitive or early combat arts pre-dating most international connections and it could have been possible that each nation simply developed these arts around the same time, as necessary for war.