The Oldest City in the World
In the vast tapestry of human history, there are few threads as captivating as the search for the oldest city in the world. It’s a journey that takes us through time, across continents, and into the heart of our ancient past. This article will guide you through this fascinating exploration, sharing insights, facts, and mysteries about The Oldest City in the World.
What is the oldest city in the world? This is a question that has fascinated historians, archaeologists, and travelers for centuries. The answer, however, is not so simple. Different criteria can be used to define a city, such as population size, urban planning, political organization, and cultural influence. Moreover, the evidence for the earliest settlements is often scarce, disputed, or destroyed by natural disasters or human conflicts.
Nevertheless, based on the available data, some candidates can be proposed for the title of the oldest city in the world. These are cities that have been continuously inhabited for thousands of years, and have witnessed the rise and fall of many civilizations. Here are some of the most ancient cities in the world, according to various sources.
-
Jericho, Palestine
Dating back to between 11,000 and 9,300 BCE, Jericho is believed to be the oldest city in the world and continuously inhabited city on Earth. Fortifications unearthed in Jericho dating back to between 9,000 and 8,000 BCE confirm it’s also the earliest known walled city. Located near the Jordan River in the West Bank, Jericho was a strategic site for trade, agriculture, and religious activities. The city was conquered by many empires, such as the Egyptians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Arabs, the Crusaders, the Ottomans, and the British. Today, Jericho is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its rich history, archaeological sites, and religious significance.
-
Damascus, Syria
Damascus is another ancient city in the Middle East that was and still is an important cultural and commercial center in the region and one of the oldest city in the world. While no one knows for sure when Damascus was settled, archaeologists mostly agree that the first settlement within the area of the city walls dates back to at least the 3rd millennium BCE¹. However, people may have inhabited Damascus much earlier as there is archaeological evidence that shows people lived in the region just outside of Damascus as early as 10,000 to 8,000 BCE. Regardless of when the city was first settled, Damascus became important to the various peoples that occupied the city, including the Greeks, Romans, Arab Muslims, Seljuq Turks, and the Ottoman Turks. Each of these civilizations left behind their marks in Damascus through architecture and cultural traditions that are still present throughout the city. Today, Damascus is the capital city of Syria and the country’s largest city.
-
Luxor, Egypt
Luxor, Egypt is also one of the oldest city in the world. Luxor sits on the site of the ancient city of Thebes, which was the capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom. The city was established around 3200 BCE and started out as a small trading post and eventually became the center and one of the wealthiest cities of the Egyptian Empire during its peak. Many ancient structures and ruins still exist in Luxor today, including the Karnak and Luxor temples, several monuments and statues, and the Theban Necropolis — which includes the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. In 1979, the ancient ruins of Thebes became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and thousands of tourists come to the city every year to visit the ancient monuments.
-
Eridu, Iraq
Eridu is considered by some scholars to be the oldest city in the world, as it was the center of the Sumerian civilization, which is regarded as the first urban civilization in history. Eridu was founded around 5400 BCE and was located near the Persian Gulf in southern Mesopotamia⁴. The city was dedicated to the god Enki, the patron of wisdom, magic, and water. Eridu was also the site of the oldest known temple in the world, the E-abzu, which dates back to the 5th millennium BCE. Eridu was abandoned around 600 BCE, due to environmental changes and political upheavals. Today, Eridu resembles a handful of bare mounds rising above the desert of southern Iraq, but some 7,000 years ago it was what many scholars consider the world’s first city.
-
Varanasi, India
Varanasi is one of the oldest city in the world and most sacred cities in India, as it is considered the spiritual capital of Hinduism. According to Hindu mythology, Varanasi was founded by the god Shiva around 3000 BCE, making it one of the oldest cities in the world. However, the archaeological evidence suggests that the city was inhabited by the 11th or 12th century BCE. Varanasi is located on the banks of the Ganges River, which is revered by Hindus as the source of life and purification. The city is famous for its ghats, or steps, that lead to the river, where pilgrims perform rituals, prayers, and cremations. Varanasi is also a center of learning, art, and culture, and has produced many prominent figures in literature, music, and philosophy.
FAQ
Q: What is the oldest city in the world?
A: There is no definitive answer to this question, as different criteria can be used to define a city and the evidence for the earliest settlements is often scarce or disputed. However, based on the available data, some of the candidates for the oldest city in the world are Jericho, Damascus, Luxor, Eridu, and Varanasi.
Q: How old are these cities?
A: The exact dates of the founding or first inhabitation of these cities are not known for sure, but based on various sources, they are estimated to be as follows:
– Jericho: between 11,000 and 9,300 BCE
– Damascus: at least the 3rd millennium BCE
– Luxor: around 3200 BCE
– Eridu: around 5400 BCE
– Varanasi: around 3000 BCE according to Hindu mythology, or the 11th or 12th century BCE according to archaeology
Q: What are the criteria for defining a city?
A: There is no universal definition of a city, but some of the possible criteria are:
– Population size: a city should have a minimum number of inhabitants, which can vary depending on the region and the time period.
– Urban planning: a city should have a layout that reflects some degree of organization, such as streets, walls, buildings, and public spaces.
– Political organization: a city should have a form of governance that regulates the social and economic activities of its inhabitants, such as a king, a council, or a law code.
– Cultural influence: a city should have a significant impact on the surrounding areas, such as through trade, religion, art, or education.
Q: Why are these cities important?
A: These cities are important because they represent some of the earliest examples of human civilization and urbanization. The oldest city in the world also reflect the diversity and richness of the cultures and histories that shaped them. These cities have witnessed the rise and fall of many empires, the development of religions and philosophies, the creation of art and literature, and the evolution of science and technology. These cities are also important for their present-day relevance, as they are still inhabited by millions of people and attract tourists from all over the world.
Conclusion
The oldest city in the world is a matter of debate, as different criteria and evidence can be used to determine the age and status of a city. However, some of the most ancient and continuously inhabited cities in the world are Jericho, Damascus, Luxor, Eridu, and Varanasi. These cities have a long and rich history that spans thousands of years and multiple civilizations. They are also still relevant and vibrant today, as they are home to millions of people and attract visitors from all over the world. These cities are not only the oldest, but also the most fascinating and inspiring examples of human civilization and urbanization.
If you want to read another article, please visit the popularpost homepage.
