The oldest city in the world still standing in Jericho, Palestine, more on that later. First, let’s find out rare facts about how ancient cities worldwide hide in their ruins.
Oldest City in the World
What Is the World’s Oldest City? It’s not the lost city of Atlantis, Athens, Egypt, or Rome. The world’s oldest city is Uruk, Iraq. At present, it is uninhabited by civilians and archaeologists have turned it into an excavation site to find out the secrets of the past. It was first settled in c. 4500 BCE and was also the first walled city of the Mesopotamian civilization.
The walls were primarily established for defense, but in due course, people began differentiating each other in terms of status, pushing the weaker ones towards the outer circle.
What Was the 1st City in the World?
- A. Jericho
- B. Byblos
- C. Uruk
- D. Eridu
Historians believe that the chances of Uruk being the oldest city in the world are just a drop from the ocean of hidden history. Currently, Uruk is the only place to have written evidence like cuneiform texts to show its date of origin.
Splendid architecture and urbanization were ways kings would showcase their power, wealth, and ideologies.
What is the Oldest City in the World?
Settlements in Jericho began around 9000 B.C., and it had a famous wall called the Wall of Jericho. Archaeological findings suggest that the wall could have been 12 feet tall during its existence in 8000 B.C.
Do you know that Jericho had been destroyed in several wars but was rebuilt every single time and sustained a continuous population throughout the 11000 years of its existence?
The fossil discoveries of Jericho have shown a complete transition of the city from hunting to agriculture. The inhabitants were one among the few to conserve water from the West Bank for the summers.
The old city of Jericho has been mentioned in the bible numerous times. The bible explained most of the wars it had with Israel. According to the Bible, it became an evil city after Joshua’s war, but Hiel the Bethelite cleansed it to make it suitable for humans by residing there.
Herod the Great set up a winter residence with Roman architecture making it a center for the Old and New Testament sites. The city then transformed into a winter resort for the British.
Apart from being the oldest city globally, Jericho also became the first city to be evacuated by the forces before being handed over to the nascent Palestinian Authority.
15 Oldest City in the World
1. Jericho, Palestine: (9000 BCE )
One of the oldest inhabited towns in the global, relationship lower back to around 9000 BCE. Its ancient partitions and the Neolithic village of Ain Mallaha are emblematic of its prehistoric past. The town is distinguished in biblical narratives, mainly the story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. Its strategic region along exchange routes and luxurious oasis supplied sustenance to various civilizations. Jericho’s archaeological websites, together with the Tell es-Sultan mound and Hisham’s Palace, mirror the ebb and flow of human civilization inside the ancient Near East.
2. Aleppo, Syria: (5000 BCE)
Aleppo, Syria, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns, dating back to 5000 BCE. Its strategic place alongside the Silk Road made it a hub for alternate, fostering a vibrant alternate of products and cultures. The metropolis’s medieval fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a testament to its resilience and ingenuity. Despite the recent battles, Aleppo’s timeless appeal keeps drawing tourists, showcasing its enduring spirit and resilience.
3. Byblos, Lebanon: (5000 BCE)
Byblos, Lebanon, is one of the oldest constantly inhabited cities, courting lower back to 5000 BCE. Its rich history, mixing Phoenician, Roman, and Crusader effects, makes it a center of maritime trade and a coveted prize for successive empires. Byblos’ picturesque harbor, with weathered stone quays and fishing boats, reflects its maritime historical past. Visitors can discover its labyrinthine streets, historical ruins, and archaeological websites, witnessing the town’s ebb and float of empires and civilizations. Byblos is a living testimony to Lebanon’s enduring legacy.
4. Plovdiv, Bulgaria: (4000 BCE)
Plovdiv, Bulgaria, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, relationship back to around 4000 BCE. The metropolis’s fascinating old city, packed with Ottoman-era houses and galleries, offers site visitors a glimpse into its bygone technology. The town’s iconic Roman amphitheater, relationship lower back to the 2d century AD, is a should-see appeal. Plovdiv additionally houses Thracian ruins, a testament to its pre-Roman origins and cultural significance. In 2019, it turned into named European Capital of Culture. Visitors can discover its historical streets, archaeological wonders, and cultural occasions.
5. Sidon, Lebanon: (4000 BCE)
One of the oldest towns in the global, courting back to 4000 BCE. Its maritime heritage is obvious in its Sea Castle, a 13th-century castle built by the Crusaders, and the Temple of Eshmun, a 7th-century sanctuary committed to the Phoenician god of recovery and fertility. Sidon’s harbor capabilities colorful fishing boats and current vessels, reflecting its connection to the sea. The town’s souks and markets offer a vibrant mixture of records, lifestyle, and maritime culture, making it an undying destination for visitors.
6. Damascus, Syria: (3000 BCE)
Damascus, a town dating lower back to 3000 BCE, is a testament to human civilization’s enduring legacy. Its historical landmarks, including the Umayyad Mosque and Azem Palace, exhibit Islamic structure and subculture. The historical souks, a hub of commercial and cultural lifestyles, offer a glimpse into Damascus’ wealthy trading history. These sites, a testimony to human resilience and creativity, continue to captivate traffic, inviting them to explore the city’s rich records and mysteries.
7. Rayy, Iran: (3000 BCE)
Rayy, Iran, is one of the oldest towns in the area, courting returned to 3000 BCE. It changed into a hub of alternate, trade, and way of life, facilitated by using its strategic location along the Silk Road. The town’s archaeological websites, which include the Cheshmeh-Ali Hill and Seljuk Tower, offer insights into its past. Today, those websites appeal to historians, archaeologists, and vacationers, showcasing Rayy’s wealthy records and its function as a cultural melting pot.
8. Gaziantep, Turkey: (3650 BCE)
Gaziantep, Turkey, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities within the international, relationship back to 3650 BCE. Its Zeugma Mosaic Museum showcases ancient mosaics, presenting a perception of the vicinity’s history and artistic traditions. Gaziantep Castle, a historical landmark, offers panoramic perspectives of the metropolis. Beyond its historical websites, Gaziantep is thought for its culinary historical past, such as baklava and kebabs, reflecting its multicultural effects. Visitors can explore markets, flavor true Turkish delicacies, and experience the vibrant flavors of modern Turkey.
9. Athens, Greece: (3000 BCE)
Is a historical metropolis with roots courting lower back to 3000 BCE. It has finished a sizable position in shaping Western civilization and fostering intellectual and creative achievements. The Acropolis, with its Parthenon temple, is an iconic symbol of Athens’ ancient glory. The Ancient Agora, a hub of civic life, offers insights into historic life. Athens has nurtured philosophers, playwrights, and statesmen, shaping human belief and way of life. Today, Athens combines historic grandeur with modern-day energy, imparting a dynamic backdrop for exploring its wealthy ancient beyond and modern-day subculture.
10. Argos, a town in Greece : (2000 BCE)
One of the oldest constantly inhabited towns, lower back to 2000 BCE. Its rich history and mythological importance are glaring in its ancient theater, marketplace, and Heraion of Argos. The theater, built into the herbal panorama, served as a hub for dramatic performances and civic gatherings. The agora, a bustling center of day-by-day existence, showcases the metropolis’s vitality and communal spirit. Argos’ storied beyond, characterized by the aid of mythological heroes and cultural achievements, maintains to captivate visitors.
11. Susa, Iran: (4200 BCE)
Susa, Iran, is one of the global’s oldest continuously inhabited towns, dating lower back to around 4200 BCE. Located in southwestern Iran, it became a hub of political, cultural, and monetary activity in ancient Persia. It consists of Apadana Palace, built by Darius the Great, and the Tomb of Daniel, a respected shrine with non secular importance. Susa’s strategic region along alternate routes and proximity to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers contributed to its prosperity. Today, its archaeological sites screen palace complexes, temples, administrative buildings, and artifacts.
12. Faiyum, Egypt: (4000 BCE)
Faiyum, Egypt, has a wealthy history courting back to 4000 BCE, recognized for its agricultural abundance and spiritual significance. Situated southwest of Cairo in the Nile Valley, it’s miles domestic to the Pyramid of Hawara, a symbol of the pharaoh’s everlasting electricity. The area is also home to Roman ruins at Karanis, offering insights into its later history and cultural evolution. Faiyum changed into a thriving agricultural heartland, called the “breadbasket” of the Nile Valley, and turned into additionally the cult center of the crocodile god Sobek. Today, its archaeological treasures provide a captivating adventure via Egypt’s past.
13. Luxor, Egypt: (3200 BCE)
Luxor, Egypt, is an ancient city with roots dating back to 3200 BCE. It is understood for its monumental structure, temples, and tombs, together with the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple Complex, and Luxor Temple. The Valley of the Kings is a necropolis where pharaohs of the New Kingdom had been laid to rest in elaborately decorated tombs. The Karnak Temple Complex is a religious sanctuary dedicated to Amun-Re, the chief deity of historical Thebes. Luxor Temple, dedicated to the Theban triad of gods, served as the focus of ceremonial processions and royal rituals. Today, Luxor is a hub of archaeological exploration and cultural tourism.
14. Thebes, Egypt: (3200 BCE)
Thebes, Egypt, became an outstanding agreement in Upper Egypt around 3200 BCE. It is thought of for its royal tombs, temples, and monuments, consisting of the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple complicated, Temple of Luxor, and mortuary temples. Thebes changed into the capital of historical Egypt all through the Middle and New Kingdom durations. Thebes’ legacy consists of the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut and the Ramesseum, built through Ramses II. Today, Thebes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, keeping its cultural and religious background for destiny generations.
15. Larnaca, Cyprus: (1400 BCE)
Larnaca, a metropolis on Cyprus’ southern coast, has a wealthy record dating returned to 1400 BCE. It is known for its iconic Hala Sultan Tekke mosque, a sacred pilgrimage site for Muslims, and its well-preserved medieval fortifications, consisting of the twelfth-century Larnaca Castle. The town also offers present-day points of interest like promenades, markets, and beaches, offering site visitors a mix of ancient background and cutting-edge charm. Larnaca continues to captivate travelers globally with its rich cultural reports.
Rare Facts About Old Places
Byblos, Lebanon is yet another strong competitor of Jericho. The city was very similar to Jericho, but it marked the beginning of the Phoenician civilization. Athens, Greece, gave rise to the era of thinkers, writers, and other creators of art and knowledge. Faiyum, Egypt, was the first fertile place to be discovered by migrators. Aleppo, Syria, was a world heritage site destroyed by war. Varanasi, India, is considered the oldest town in the world by many, but the lack of recorded evidence has pushed it back on the list.
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