1 city on earth. What is the oldest city in the world

Many ancient cities claim the right to be called the first city of the Earth. But above all, this definition refers to Jericho - an oasis near the place where the Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea. The city of Jericho, widely known from the Bible, is located here - the very one whose walls once fell from the sound of the trumpets of Joshua.

According to biblical tradition, the Israelites began the conquest of Canaan from Jericho, and after the death of Moses, under the leadership of Joshua, they crossed the Jordan and stood at the walls of this city. The townspeople, who took refuge behind the walls of the city, were convinced that the city was impregnable. But the Israelis used an extraordinary military stratagem. They circled the city walls in a silent crowd six times, and on the seventh they shouted in unison and blew their trumpets, so loudly that the formidable walls collapsed. This is where the expression "trumpet of Jericho" came from.

Jericho is fed by the powerful source of Ain es-Sultan ("Spring of the Sultan"), to which the city owes its origin. The Arabs call the name of this source a hill to the north of modern Jericho - Tell es-Sultan ("Mountain of the Sultan"). Already at the end of the 19th century, it attracted the attention of archaeologists and is still considered one of the most important sites of archaeological finds of objects from the early historical period.

In 1907 and 1908, a group of German and Austrian researchers led by professors Ernst Sellin and Karl Watzinger began excavations for the first time at Mount Sultana. They came across two parallel fortified walls built of sun-dried bricks. outer wall had a thickness of 2 m and a height of 8-10 m, and the thickness of the inner wall reached 3.5 m.

Archaeologists have determined that these walls were built between 1400 and 1200 BC. e. It is understandable that they were quickly identified with the walls that the Bible says were torn down by the mighty trumpets of the Israelite tribes. However, during the excavations, archaeologists came across a layer of construction debris, which was of even greater interest to science than the finds that confirmed the Bible's information about the war. But the First World War suspended further scientific research.

More than twenty years passed before a group of Englishmen under the leadership of Professor John Garstang were able to continue their research. New excavations began in 1929 and continued for about ten years. 1935-1936. Garstang came across the lowest layers of a Stone Age settlement. He discovered a cultural layer older than the 5th millennium BC. e., referring to the time when people did not yet know pottery. But the people of this era already led a sedentary lifestyle.

The work of the Garstang expedition was interrupted due to the difficult political situation. And only after the end of World War II did English archaeologists return to Jericho again. This time the expedition was led by Dr. Kathleen M. Canyon, whose activities are associated with all further discoveries in this ancient city of the world. To participate in the excavations, the British invited German anthropologists who had been working in Jericho for several years.

In 1953, archaeologists led by Kathleen Canyon made an outstanding discovery that completely changed our understanding of the early history of mankind. The researchers made their way through 40 (!) Cultural layers and found structures of the Neolithic period with huge buildings dating back to the time when, it would seem, only nomadic tribes should have lived on Earth, earning their livelihood by hunting and gathering plants and fruits. The results of the excavations showed that about 10 thousand years ago, a qualitative leap was made in the eastern Mediterranean, associated with the transition to the artificial cultivation of cereals. This led to drastic changes in culture and lifestyle.

The discovery of early agricultural Jericho became an archeological sensation in the 1950s. Systematic excavations here have unearthed a number of successive layers, combined into two complexes - pre-ceramic Neolithic A (VIII millennium BC) and pre-ceramic Neolithic B (VII millennium BC). Today, Jericho A is considered the first urban-type settlement discovered in the Old World. Here are found the earliest known to science buildings of a permanent type, burial places and sanctuaries, built of earth or small rounded unbaked bricks.

The pre-ceramic Neolithic A settlement occupied an area of ​​about 4 hectares and was surrounded by a powerful defensive wall made of stone. A massive round stone tower adjoined it. Initially, the researchers assumed that this was the tower of the fortress wall. But obviously it was not a structure special purpose, which combined many functions, including the function of a sentry post to control the surroundings.

Under the protection of a stone wall were round, tent-like houses on stone foundations with walls made of mud brick, one surface of which was convex (this type of brick is called "pig's back"). In order to more accurately determine the age of these structures, the latest scientific methods were applied, for example, the radiocarbon (radiocarbon) method. Atomic physicists in the study of isotopes found that it is possible to determine the age of objects by the ratio of radioactive and stable isotopes of carbon. By sounding, it was found that the most ancient walls of this city belong to the VIII millennium, that is, their age is about 10 thousand years. The sanctuary discovered as a result of excavations had an even more ancient age - 9551 BC. e.

There is no doubt that Jericho A, with its sedentary population and developed construction business, was one of the first early agricultural settlements on Earth. Based on many years of research conducted here, historians have received a completely new picture of the development and technical capabilities that mankind had 10 thousand years ago. The transformation of Jericho from a small primitive settlement with miserable huts and huts into a real city with an area of ​​at least 3 hectares and a population of more than 2,000 people is associated with the transition of the local population from a simple gathering of edible cereals to agriculture - growing wheat and barley. At the same time, the researchers found that this revolutionary step was not taken as a result of some kind of introduction from the outside, but was the result of the development of the tribes living here: archaeological excavations of Jericho showed that in the period between the culture of the original settlement and the culture of the new city, which was built at the turn of IX and VIII millennia BC. e., life here did not stop.

At first, the town was not fortified, but with the advent of strong neighbors, fortress walls were needed to protect against attacks. The appearance of fortifications speaks not only of the confrontation between different tribes, but also of the accumulation of certain material values ​​by the inhabitants of Jericho, which attracted the greedy eyes of neighbors. What were these values? Archaeologists have answered this question as well. Probably, the main source of income for the townspeople was barter: a well-located city controlled the main resources of the Dead Sea - salt, bitumen and sulfur. Obsidian, jade and diorite from Anatolia, turquoise from the Sinai Peninsula, cowrie shells from the Red Sea were found in the ruins of Jericho - all these goods were highly valued during the Neolithic period.

The fact that Jericho was a powerful urban center is evidenced by its defensive fortifications. Without the use of pickles and hoes, a ditch 8.5 m wide and 2.1 m deep was cut in the rock. stone wall 1.64 m thick, preserved to a height of 3.94 m. Its original height, probably, reached 5 m, and the mud brick laying was higher.

During the excavations, a large round stone tower with a diameter of 7 m was discovered, preserved to a height of 8.15 m, with an internal staircase carefully built from solid stone slabs meter wide. The tower housed a storehouse for grain and clayed cisterns to collect rainwater.

The stone tower of Jericho was probably built at the beginning of the 8th millennium BC. e. and has been very for a long time. When it ceased to be used for its intended purpose, crypts for burials began to be arranged in its internal passage, and the former vaults were used as dwellings. These premises were often rebuilt. One of them, which died in a fire, dates back to 6935 BC. e After that, in the history of the tower, archaeologists counted four more periods of existence, and then the city wall collapsed and began to erode. Apparently, the city was already empty at that time.

The construction of a powerful defensive system required an enormous expenditure of labor, the use of significant work force and the presence of some central authority to organize and direct the work. Researchers estimate the population of this world's first city at 2,000, and this figure may be an underestimate.

What did these first citizens of the Earth look like and how did they live? An analysis of the skulls and bone remains found in Jericho showed that 10 thousand years ago, short people with elongated skulls (dolichocephals), who belonged to the so-called Euro-African race, lived here 10 thousand years ago. They built oval dwellings from lumps of clay, the floors of which were deepened below ground level. He entered the house through a doorway with wooden jambs. Several steps led down. Most of the houses consisted of a single round or oval room with a diameter of 4–5 m, covered with a vault of intertwined rods. The ceiling, walls and floor were plastered with clay. The floors in the houses were carefully leveled, sometimes painted and polished.

The inhabitants of ancient Jericho used stone and bone tools, did not know ceramics and ate wheat and barley, the grains of which were ground on stone grain grinders with stone pestles. From rough food, consisting of cereals and pods, pounded in stone mortars, these people completely wore out their teeth. Despite a more comfortable habitat than that of primitive hunters, their life was exceptionally hard, and average age inhabitants of Jericho did not exceed 20 years. Child mortality was very high, and only a few lived to be 40-45 years old. There were apparently no people older than this age in ancient Jericho at all.

The townspeople buried their dead right under the floors of their dwellings, putting iconic plaster masks on their skulls with cowrie shells inserted into the eyes of the masks. It is curious that in the oldest graves of Jericho (6500 BC), archaeologists mostly find skeletons without a head. Apparently, the skulls were separated from the corpses and buried separately. The cult cutting off of the head is known in many parts of the world and has been encountered up to our time. Here in Jericho, scholars have encountered what appears to be one of the earliest manifestations of this cult.

During this "pre-pottery" period, the inhabitants of Jericho did not use earthenware - they were replaced by stone vessels, carved mainly from limestone. Probably, the townspeople also used all kinds of wickerwork and leather receptacles like wineskins. Can't sculpt earthenware, ancient inhabitants Jericho, at the same time, animal figurines and other images were sculpted from clay. In residential buildings and tombs of Jericho, many clay figurines of animals, as well as stucco images of the phallus, were found. The cult of the male principle was widespread in ancient Palestine, and its images are found in other places.

In one of the layers of Jericho, archaeologists discovered a kind of front hall with six wooden poles. Probably, it was a sanctuary - a primitive predecessor of the future temple. Inside this room and in the immediate vicinity of it, archaeologists did not find any household items, but they found numerous clay figurines of animals - horses, cows, sheep, goats, pigs and models of male genital organs.

The most amazing discovery in Jericho was the stucco figures of people. They are made from local limestone clay called hawara with a reed frame. These figurines are of normal proportions, but flat frontal. Nowhere, except for Jericho, have archaeologists encountered such figurines before. In one of the prehistoric layers of Jericho, group sculptures of men, women and children were also found in life size. For their manufacture, clay similar to cement was used, which was smeared on a reed frame. These figures were still very primitive and planar: after all, for many centuries plastic art was preceded by rock paintings or images on the walls of caves. The figures found show what great interest the inhabitants of Jericho showed in the miracle of the origin of life and the creation of a family, ”this was one of the first and most powerful impressions of prehistoric man.

The appearance of Jericho - the first urban center - testifies to the birth high forms public organization. Even the invasion of more backward tribes from the north in the 5th millennium BC could not interrupt this process, which eventually led to the creation of highly developed ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and the Near East.

On this day:

• Birthdays
• 1877 Was born Henri Edouard Breuil- French catholic priest, archaeologist, anthropologist, ethnologist and geologist, specialist in Paleolithic and history primitive art. Studied rock art in the Somme and Dordogne valleys, studied primitive sites in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Ethiopia, South Africa, British Somalia and China. Proved the existence of the Aurignacian era of the Upper Paleolithic Western Europe, as well as the ancient Paleolithic klekton complexes, characterized by the absence of hand axes.

According to scientists, modern man descended from a small population of Homo sapiens that survived after a terrible natural disaster that occurred 74,000 years ago and settled across the African continent. After 10-14 millennia, its members penetrated into Asia, and even later into Europe and America.

With the advent of agriculture, people stopped wandering and began to found villages. Over time, they grew, and around the 7th millennium, the most ancient cities in the world began to appear.

Some terminology

Before talking about the oldest cities in the world, you should find out what is meant by such a definition. In particular, as a result of archaeological excavations on different continents, many large settlements were found. However, today it is customary to call the ancient cities of the world only those of them that have never been abandoned by the inhabitants since their foundation. At the same time, some scholars continue to argue over whether the "age" should not be counted from the moment when a given settlement ceased to be a village, i.e. the number of people involved in agriculture, was less than the number of peasants. Based on these considerations, many ancient cities will "become younger" by several millennia.

Jericho

Be that as it may, today it is customary to answer the question of which is the most ancient city in the world by naming Jericho. The first human traces found on its territory date back to the 10th millennium BC. e., and the oldest buildings excavated by archaeologists - by the year 95,000. The history of Jericho can be traced in some detail in the Old Testament, and later it is repeatedly mentioned in the Roman chronicles. In particular, it is known that it was presented by Mark Antony as a gift to Cleopatra. However, later Emperor Augustus gave it to King Herod, who built many magnificent buildings there. In addition, there are records that a Christian church was built in Jericho in the first centuries of our era.

Having existed until the 9th century, the city fell into decay due to the Muslim wars with the Crusaders and Bedouin raids, and from the 13th century it turned into a small Muslim village, destroyed in the 19th century by the Turks. Only in the early 1920s, the irrigation system was restored on the territory of Jericho. After that, these places began to be populated by Arabs.

Today Jericho is small town with a population of just over 20,000, located in the unrecognized State of Palestine. Its main attraction is the Tel es-Sultan hill with a tower that is believed to be 9,000 years old.

Damascus

As already mentioned, when listing the most ancient cities in the world, it is customary to start the list with Jericho. But the second position in this ranking belongs to Damascus. The city was founded in 2500 BC. e. However, scientists believe that its territory has been continuously inhabited by people since the 10th millennium BC. e. From the 15th century BC e. v different periods the city was under the rule of the Egyptian pharaohs, Assyria, Israel, Persia and other powerful states of that time. No less interesting is the history of Damascus at a later time. In particular, it is known that after the visit of St. Apostle Paul, just a few years after the crucifixion of the Savior, there was already a Christian community in the city, and in the Middle Ages it was stormed three times, but the crusader knights could not capture it. Like the most ancient city in the world, Jericho, Damascus lay in ruins for some time. The fault was the troops of Tamerlane, who invaded Syria in 1400 and staged a terrible massacre, the consequences of which are still long years did not allow Damascus to regain its former power.

The oldest city in the world according to ancient historians

Scientists learned about the true age of Jericho only in the second half of the last century, and before that, in different eras completely different cities claimed this title. For example, in the ancient world it was believed that Byblos was founded earlier than others, which in the Old Testament appears under the name Gebal. It has been mentioned as a city since the 4th millennium BC. e. Many legends are associated with it. For example, the ancient Egyptians believed that it was there that Isis found the body of the god Osiris. In addition, Jabel (Arabic for Byblos) is known as the origin of various ancient cults, such as those worshiping Baal and Adonis. Since it was in it that most of the papyrus produced in the ancient world was produced, the first books from such “paper” began to be called byblos.

Athens

Interestingly, the capital of Greece does not claim to be the most ancient city in the world, since it was founded only around 1400 BC. e. It is known that even in the Mycenaean era there was a palace and a fortified settlement. For thousands of years, Athens was the main educational and cultural center of the ancient world and did not lose this role even during the time of Rome. Today there you can see many architectural monuments, which are several thousand years old. Moreover, in terms of their number, Athens is far superior to other ancient cities on the planet.

Rome

Oddly enough, Rome, which for thousands of years has been called eternal, is not included in the list of the 10 most ancient cities in the world, since it was founded in 753 BC. e. However, it is obvious that settlements in its place existed many millennia before that. It's just that if historians draw information about the origin of other cities from archaeological excavations, the "birthday" of Rome was "calculated" in the first century on the basis of the legend about the sons of Mars and Princess Rhea Sylvia - Remus and Romulus.

The most ancient cities in the world: Yerevan

Few people know that the capital of Armenia, or rather, the city of Erebuni that existed in its place, older than Rome for 29 years. Moreover, this fortress has quite weighty both in direct and in figuratively"birth certificate" signed by its founder - Argishty, son of Menua. We are talking about a stone with cuneiform writing, which in 1894 the famous Russian anthropologist A. Ivanovsky acquired from one of the Armenian peasants. The inscription on the boulder was deciphered, and it turned out that it reports on the construction of a large granary by King Argishta the First. More than half a century later, on the outskirts of Yerevan, on the Arin-berd hill, excavations were carried out and two more slabs were found, one of which already touched the foundation of the fortress. In addition, another "Erebuni metric" was found, already embedded in the wall of the fortress, some of the buildings of which have been excellently preserved to this day. In particular, today in the fortress of Erebuni, recognized by Forbes as the 9th oldest in the world, you can see the ruins of the Susi temple, with cuneiform tablets of King Argishti, the wall of the sanctuary of the god Khaldi with beautiful wall paintings, ancient stone plumbing and much more.

Derbent

Talking about the most ancient cities in the world, one cannot fail to mention the Russian Derbent. Judging by archaeological finds, a settlement in its place existed as early as the 4th millennium BC. e. and has been raided many times. As for the name Derbent, for the first time it is found by Herodotus in a document of the 5th century. It is also known that in the first century AD, in order to capture this city, which was considered the gateway to the Caspian Sea, the Romans and Persians organized campaigns, fighting for dominance in the Caucasus and adjacent regions.

Now you know which is the most ancient city in the world, some interesting information about Damascus, Derbent, Yerevan, Byblos and other cities.

The list of the oldest cities in the world includes settlements in which people have constantly lived from ancient times to the present day. It is rather difficult to determine which of them appeared earlier, since it is customary in scientific circles to distinguish between the concepts of "urban-type settlement" and "city".

For example, Byblos was already inhabited in the 17th century. BC e., but received the status of a city only in the III century. BC e. For this reason, there is no single point of view on the question of whether it can be considered the oldest in the world. In the same ambiguous position are Jericho and Damascus.

In addition to the top three, there are other ancient cities in the world. They are located in all corners of the world.

The most ancient cities of East Asia

The most ancient cities East Asia, Beijing and Xi'an are located in China. This country rightfully belongs to the most ancient civilizations in the world. There are practically no dark spots in its history, as it is recorded in written sources, so it is relatively easy to establish the dates of the founding of settlements.

Beijing

Beijing is the capital and largest political, educational and cultural center of the People's Republic of China. Its original name is literally translated into Russian as "Northern Capital". This phrase corresponds to the status of the city and its location today.

The first cities in the area of ​​modern Beijing appeared in the 1st century BC. BC e. First, the capital of the kingdom of Yan - Ji (473-221 BC) was located there, then the Liao empire established its southern capital - Nanjing (938) on this site. In 1125, the city passed into the administration of the Jurchen Empire Jin and was named Zhongdu.

In the XIII century, after the Mongols burned the settlement, and it was rebuilt, the city received two names at once: "Dadu" and "Khanbalik". The first is in Chinese, the second is in Mongolian. It is the second option that is reflected in the notes of Marco Polo, which remained after his trip to China.

Beijing received its modern name only in 1421. Historians believe that in the period from IV to early XIX v. it was one of the largest cities in the world. During this time, it was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, deprived of the status of the capital, and then returned to it. Empires also changed, under whose possession the old settlement fell, but people continued to live there.

At present, the population of Beijing is almost 22 million people. 95% of them are native Chinese, the remaining 5% are Mongols, Chuer, Hui. This number includes only people who have a residence permit in the city, but there are also those who came to work. Official language here is Chinese.

The city is considered a cultural and educational center. There are many architectural monuments, museums, parks and gardens. There are more than 50 higher educational institutions, within the walls of which Russian citizens are also educated. Nightlife lovers will also not be bored - in the capital of China there are several areas with popular night bars.

Top attractions in Beijing:

Interesting facts about the capital of China:

• The government has spent $44 billion to prepare Olympic Games in 2008. To date, this is the world's largest expenditure on a sporting event.
• There are 980 buildings on the territory of the Forbidden City, according to researchers, all of them are divided into 9999 rooms.
• The Beijing subway is considered the 2nd longest in the world.

The northern capital of China does not claim to be the most ancient city in the world, but the history of its formation is still of interest to scientists.

Xi'an

Xi'an is a city in the People's Republic of China located in Shaanxi Province. He is over 3 thousand years old. For some time it was considered one of the largest in the world in terms of area and number of inhabitants.

In the II century. BC e. The Great Silk Road ran through the city. At that time, it was called "Chang'an", which translates as "long peace."

Like Beijing, the city was destroyed several times in war time and then rebuilt again. The name has also changed several times. The modern version took hold in 1370.

According to 2006 data, more than 7 million people live in Xi'an. By government decree in 1990, the city was transformed into a cultural, educational and industrial center. Here is the largest aircraft manufacturing center.

Attractions in Xi'an:

Interesting Facts About the provincial capital of Shaanxi:

• Xi'an remained the capital of China during 13 consecutive imperial dynasties. This is the longest time.
• Here is the city wall, which is more than 3 thousand years old. For such a period, it is quite well preserved.
• During the reign of the Tang Dynasty (7th-9th centuries), the city was the most populated in the world.

Xi'an has long ceased to be the actual capital of the PRC, but thanks to its rich history spanning several centuries, it continues to be the main cultural center.

The oldest cities in the Middle East

There are three ancient cities in the Middle East at once: Balkh, Luxor and El Fayoum. The researchers came to the conclusion that all of them were founded no earlier than the 1st century BC. BC e. They are of interest both from a historical and cultural point of view.

Balkh

Balkh is a city located in the province of the same name in Pakistan. It is believed that it was founded in 1500 BC. e. during the resettlement of Indo-Iranians from the Amu Darya region.

During the heyday of the Silk Road, its population reached 1 million, now this figure has significantly decreased. According to 2006 data, only 77 thousand people live in the city.

Until the beginning of the Hellenistic era, the city was considered the largest spiritual center. According to legend, it was there that Zarathustra, the founder of Zoroastrianism, one of the oldest religious teachings in the world.

In 1933, Balkh became one of the 3 Afghan cities where Jews were allowed to live. It was forbidden to leave the settlement without urgent need. A kind of Jewish ghetto was formed here because the representatives of this people preferred to settle separately from the rest. As of 2000, the Jewish community in the city has disintegrated.

Sights:

• Tomb of Khoja Parsa;
• Madrassah of Said Subkhankulikhan;
• Grave of Robiai Balkhi;
• Masjidi Nuh Gumbad.

Interesting facts about the city:

• In 1220, Balkh was destroyed by Genghis Khan and lay in ruins for almost a century and a half.
• The first Jewish community in the city was founded in 568 BC. e., there, as the legend says, the Jews expelled from Jerusalem settled.
• The main local attraction, the Green Mosque or the Tomb of Khoja Parsa, was built in the 15th century.

Currently, this settlement is considered a major center of the textile industry.

Luxor

Luxor is a city located in Upper Egypt. Part of it lies on the east bank of the Nile. It was known as "Uaset" in the ancient world. It occupies a place where, according to historical data, the capital of Ancient Egypt, Thebes, was located. Five centuries have passed since its foundation. It is considered the largest open-air museum, therefore it is currently a tourist center.

Luxor is conditionally divided into two districts - the "City of the Living" and " City of dead". Most of the people live in the first district, in the second, due to the huge number historical monuments there are practically no settlements.

According to 2012 data, the population of Luxor is 506 thousand people. Almost all of them are Arabs by nationality.

Sights:

Interesting Facts:

• in 1997, members of the Islamist group Al-Gamaa-Al-Islamiya staged the so-called Luxor massacre in the city, during which 62 tourists died;
• in summer the temperature reaches + 50 °C in the shade;
• at one time the city was called "the hundred gates of Thebes".

Now Luxor receives the main income from tourists.

El Fayoum

El Faiyum is a city in Middle Egypt. Located in the oasis of the same name. Around it lies the Libyan desert. Scientists have come to the conclusion that the city was founded more in the 4th century. BC e. Its modern name comes from the Coptic language and means "lake" in translation.

The city was the administrative center in ancient Egypt. At that time, he bore the name Shedet, which literally translates as "sea." The settlement got its name due to the fact that on its territory there was an artificial lake Merida, in the waters of which crocodiles were bred to honor the Egyptian god Sebek.

In historical documents, the city is also found under the name Crocodilopolis.

At present, the population of El Faiyum is about 13 thousand people. The city is an agricultural center. Olives, grapes, sugarcane, dates, rice, corn are grown on its fields. Also here are engaged in the production of rose oil.

The city's attractions:

Interesting El Fayoum Facts:

• national symbol the province in which the city is located - 4 water wheels;
• the Catholic Church currently believes that it has no power over the city, although it was once a religious center;
• Merida Lake was dug almost 4 centuries ago.

It was in El Faiyum that funeral portraits dated to the 1st-3rd centuries were first found. In honor of the city, they received the name "Fayum".

The most ancient cities in Europe

Most Old city in the world, if we consider its European part, - Athens. Its name is known to every person. But there are other ancient settlements in Europe, for example, Mantua and Plovdiv, which are far from being so famous.

Athens

Athens is one of the most famous and oldest cities in Greece, the capital of the state. It was founded around the 7th century. BC e. The first written monuments that were discovered there date back to 1600 BC. e., but it is known for certain that people lived in Athens long before that time.

The name of the settlement was in honor of its patroness - the goddess of war and wisdom Athena. In the 5th century BC e. it became a city-state. It was there that the model of a democratic society first appeared, which is still considered ideal.

In Athens, such famous philosophers and writers as Sophocles, Aristotle, Socrates, Euripides, Plato were born. The ideas highlighted in their works are relevant to this day.

As of 2011, the population in Athens reached 3 million people, which is about a third total strength the population of Greece.

The city center, where the Athenian Acropolis was once located, is now a favorite tourist destination. Most of the ancient buildings were wiped off the face of the earth by time and wars, modern ones were built in their place. multi-story houses. One of the largest European higher educational institutions, the Athens Polytechnic University, is located here.

Sights:

Interesting Facts:

• the most popular species sports in Athens - basketball and football;
• on the Greek the city is called "Athena" and not "Athens;
• the settlement is considered the birthplace of the theater.

Now in the capital of Greece there are many museums where you can get acquainted with the unique monuments of fine art dating back to the 2nd-3rd centuries. BC e.

Mantova

Mantua is an Italian city founded in the 6th century. BC e. It is surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Mincio River, which is rather unusual, as builders usually try to avoid swampy areas.

For a long time, Mantua was considered the city of art. It was here that the famous artist Rubens began his career - the author of the paintings "The Entombment", "Hercules and Omphala", "Exaltation of the Cross". In the XVII-XVIII centuries. From the haven of cultural figures, the city was re-qualified into an impregnable bastion.

The population of Mantua, according to 2004 data, amounted to 48 thousand people. Currently, the city is a tourist center, as it has preserved many architectural monuments from different centuries.

Sights:

Interesting Facts:

• in one of the suburbs of Mantua, Virgil was born - the creator of the Aeneid, one of the most famous ancient Roman poets;
• in 1739 Charles de Brosse, a French historian, wrote that the city could only be approached from one side, as it was surrounded by swamps;
• The historic center of Mantua is a World Heritage Site.

The patron saint of the city is Saint Anselm, who was not officially canonized. His memorial day falls on March 18. At the same time, residents celebrate City Day.

Plovdiv

The oldest city in the world, located on the territory of modern Europe, according to historian Dennis Rodwell, is Plovdiv. Now it is considered the second largest in Bulgaria. Once the city bore the names "Filippopolis" and "Filibe". The first settlements on its territory appeared in the VI century. BC e., during the Neolithic period.

At the beginning of World War II, the city took a central place in organizing support for the union of the USSR and Bulgaria. In 1941, the city was occupied by the Germans, as Bulgaria entered into an alliance with Germany. However, the resistance of the inhabitants was not completely suppressed. A reconnaissance group was operating in the city, in February 1943 it was defeated.

Currently, Plovdiv is the second most populated city in Bulgaria. 367 thousand people live in it. The city has a developed industry: agricultural, food flavoring, clothing, non-ferrous metallurgy. It also houses the only factory in the country that produces cigarette filters and paper.

Sights:

Interesting facts:

• in Plovdiv there is a whole street with workshops that belong to hereditary artisans;
• annually the International Plovdiv Fair is held here, which is popular throughout Europe;
• Bulgarian astronomer, Violetta Ivanova, discovered an asteroid, which she named after the city.

Every year Plovdiv hosts an international boxing championship.

The oldest cities in the Middle East

In the Middle East, there are two settlements at once that claim to be the oldest city in the world - Byblos and Jericho.

bible

Byblos is an ancient Phoenician city, which is located on the territory of modern Lebanon, not far from the Mediterranean Sea. It is currently called "Jbeil".

Historical finds indicate that Byblos was already inhabited in the 7th century. BC e., during the Neolithic period. But the city was recognized only after 4 centuries. And the ancient era was considered the oldest settlement, but now its status is controversial.

The oldest city in the world, according to some scientists, Byblos is located on a well-protected hill, around which there are many fertile soil, therefore, in the Neolithic era, this place was inhabited. But, for some unknown reason, by the arrival of the Phoenicians in the 4th century. BC e. there were no more inhabitants left, so the new arrivals did not have to fight for territory.

In the ancient world, the specialty of the city was the trade in papyrus. From its name came the words "byblos" (translated as "papyrus") and "bible" (translated as "book").

Currently, only 3 thousand people live in Byblos. Most of them adhere to Catholic and Muslim religious views. The city is one of the main tourist centers of Lebanon.

Sights:

Interesting Facts:

• the biblical alphabet has not yet been deciphered, since there are too few inscriptions on it, and there are no analogues in the world;
• the Egyptian language was official in the city for a long time;
• in Egyptian myths it is said that it was in Byblos that the goddess Isis found in wooden box the body of Osiris.

The city is located 32 km. from the current capital of Lebanon - Beirut.

Jericho

The oldest city in the world, according to most scientists, is Jericho. The first traces of habitation that were found there date back to the 9th century. BC e. The oldest city fortifications that have been discovered were built at the end of the 7th century. BC e.

Jericho is located on the territory of modern Palestine, in the region of the western bank of the Jordan River. He is repeatedly mentioned in the Bible, and not only under his original name, but also as a "city of palm trees".

In the middle of the XIX century. on a hill near the Jordan River, excavations began, the purpose of which was to search for the ancient remains of Jericho. The first attempts did not give any results. But at the beginning of the 20th century, the hill was completely excavated.

It turned out that layers of architectural structures belonging to 7 different time periods lay in its depths. After repeated destruction, the city gradually moved to the south, which is why this phenomenon arose. The population of modern Jericho is only 20 thousand inhabitants.

The city, which is considered the oldest in the world, has been closed to the public since 2000, after armed uprisings in Palestine. In exceptional cases, the heads of the Israeli army gives tourists the go-ahead to visit.

Sights:

• ruins of ancient Jericho;
• Forty Day Mountain;
• tree of Zacchaeus.

Interesting Facts:

• in Hebrew, the name of the city sounds like "Yeriho", and in Arabic - "Eriha";
• this is one of the oldest settlements in which people lived continuously;
• Jericho is mentioned not only in the Bible, but also in the works of Flavius, Ptolemy, Strabo, Pliny - they are all ancient Roman writers and scientists.

Supporters of the separation of the concepts of "city" and "urban settlement" believe that only Damascus, the capital of modern Syria, can compete with Jericho in age.

What is the oldest city in Russia?

Until 2014, Derbent, located in the southern part of the Republic of Dagestan, was considered the most ancient city in Russia. The first mention of a settlement on its territory dates back to the 6th century. BC e. The city itself was founded in the 5th century. n. e.

In 2017, after the annexation of the Crimean peninsula, Kerch was considered the oldest city in Russia. On its territory, sites dating back to the 8th century were discovered. BC e. The first settlement appeared in the 7th century. BC e. And the city itself was founded around the III century. BC e.

For the first time in Russian Empire Kerch entered at the end of the 8th century. as a result of the Russian-Turkish war. At that time, there was an active mining of shells and limestone for construction needs. By the beginning of the XX century. deposits were discovered under the city iron ore which played an important role in the economic development of the city.

Currently, the population of Kerch is 150 thousand people. Tourists often come to the city, as it is located at the junction of the Azov and Black Seas. Also, the city continues to be one of the largest shipbuilding and metal foundry centers.

Sights:

• Royal mound;
• Tiritaka;
• Yeni-Kale fortress;
• Merimekey;
• Nymphaeum.

Interesting Facts:

Although the title of the oldest city in the world is difficult to award to only one locality, scientists were able to identify several leaders: Jericho, Byblos and Damascus.

The leading position is currently occupied by Jericho, but other cities deserve no less interest.

Article formatting: Vladimir the Great

Video about the oldest city in the world

The oldest city in the world:

In ancient times, the city was the capital of the Hashemite state, formed by an Arab tribe. You can find a stone miracle in the desert near the resort of Akkaba. It will take about 4 hours to see all its sights, during which you will have to overcome the path of 10 km. The tour starts from the entrance to a narrow gorge, at the exit of which the Al-Khazneh building meets the tourists. The temple-mausoleum, also referred to as the Treasury of the Pharaohs, conveyed the skill of the best stone-cutters of antiquity. It is followed by a street with a Colonnade, attractive with red and pink buildings. On one of the rocks rises the monastery of Ed-Deir, the Roman 3-story palace attracts with its beauty, the Urn tomb catches the eye. Most of the buildings were intended for rituals.

It was erected by the Greeks in the 9th century BC. For many years of its existence, the ancient city was able to absorb the cultural and historical values ​​of many countries ancient world. Even a one-time visit to Ephesus allows you to see many unique sights that annually gather thousands of tourists around them. These are the fountain of Emperor Trojan, the library of Celsus, the ruined temples of Artemis and Hadrian, the remains of the sanctuaries of the nymphs and ordinary buildings, attractive with unusual designs. Surprisingly, the huge amphitheater, built by the Hellenes for entertainment, has been perfectly preserved to this day. Ephesus has undergone many changes in its history, but no events could take away its beauty and wealth. An unusual city leaves indelible memories of itself.

City landmark, conveying the luxury and grandeur of the ancient Persian empire of the Achaemenids. In 330 BC he was burned by Macedon. Despite this, the remains of the ancient palace complex are still perfectly preserved in the city. They are located on a high platform, and occupy 135 thousand square meters. m. The cultural "core" of Persepolis is apadana, or a giant square-shaped hall that can accommodate up to 10 thousand people. Apadana rises on a 2.5-meter platform, and its walls are made of durable raw brick material. Medieval Persepolis was used by the locals as a quarry. Since 1931, archaeological work has been carried out here. The columns of Persepolis are decorated with ancient images and inscribed with tourists who wished to leave a memory of themselves in the form of their own names.

Temple city, lost between the mountains of Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon. It is shrouded in many legends explaining its appearance on Lebanese soil. The city owes its name to Baal, a deity worshiped by the Egyptians and Assyrians. The sights of Baalbek are temples, amazing with their architecture. Scientists still cannot understand how, without the use of high-tech tools, ancient people managed to grind huge blocks of stone so smoothly and use them for construction. Lebanese researchers are also surprised by the fact that a system of underground passages is hidden under the temple. The width of this ancient labyrinth is about 3 m, the height is 2.5 m. The southern stone of Baalbek is also attractive for tourists, climbing on which you can feel like a microparticle of the vast Universe.

An ancient Syrian city, the first mention of which is found in the annals of the 19th century BC. The small elliptical town is adorned with an 11-meter colonnade connecting the cult and shopping malls. This colonnade is considered the main street, but when moving along it, you can see the arched branches leading to the neighboring streets. The center of the road is decorated with a triumphal arch, which, despite its dilapidated state, is still striking in its grandeur. The street ends with the sanctuary of Bel, erected in 32 AD. in honor of the local deity. This temple was the main one, and its territory was represented by a courtyard with pools. Temple of Nabo, the ruins of Roman baths, an amphitheater, the Senate, agora, Diocletian's camp, the Necropolis and the fortress of Qalaat Ibn Maan are considered the main attractions of Palmyra.

The ancient capital of the island of Sri Lanka. Its main attraction is the Stone Temple, built to worship the Buddha. 4 huge statues of the deity are carved directly into the granite rock. Especially pilgrims are attracted by the statue of Buddha, arms crossed on his chest. The wealth of Polonnaruwa is the numerous brahminical monuments, the ruins of the garden city of King Parakramabahu, the Lotus bath, Parakrama Samudraya lake. The Cave of the Spirits of Knowledge, also known as Gal Vihara, is recognized as a mysterious territory in Polonnaruwa. And this is not the usual underground kingdom, but an open stone wall with impressive statues of Buddha carved from stone, frozen in a lying and standing pose. Today, the ancient city is represented by the remains of palaces and temples enclosed in a rectangle of the city wall.

The ancient Mexican city belonged to the Itza people. The name has an interesting translation - “the well of the Itza tribe”. Once having hundreds of buildings, the city occupied approximately 6 square meters. miles. Today it looks like ruins, among which about 30 preserved buildings are of historical value. Archaeologists attribute Chichen Itza to the Mayan culture, because. most of the buildings were erected by representatives of this tribe. Another group of ancient buildings and cenotes - smooth-walled wells were built already in the Toltec period from the 10th to the 11th centuries AD. But the most striking buildings are those that were erected by the Mayan tribe (with him the city became the largest religious and ceremonial center). These are the Pali House, the Deer House, the Red House, the Temple with lintels, the church, the monastery with annexes, Akab Dzib.

One of the unusual cities of ancient Mexico. It sprawled on the edge of the Anahuac Valley in a treeless highland zone. The year of its foundation is considered to be the 750th, relating to our era. In the Nahuatl language, the word "teotihuacan" means the area where people turn into gods. Teotihuacan has a lot of attractions. The city is rich in temples and palaces, the walls of which are decorated with original frescoes. Its historical site is the Citadel - a square framed by platforms with 16 pyramids. According to researchers, the royal residence of the ruler of the ancient city was located here. Another attraction is hidden inside the Citadel - the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent. However, the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon have always overshadowed the monuments of the mysterious Teotihuacan with their grandeur and beauty.

The city, which belonged to the Incas in antiquity, eventually became the center of tourism in South American Peru. Built in the XV century. in the mountains, he got a suitable name - “old mountain” (Quechua language). The news of the particle's existence ancient world, lost in the Andes, was made public in 1911 by the American Hiram Bingham. Marvelous Machu Picchu is also called the city in the clouds. Modern researchers of its territory are amazed by the fact that the foundation of the city of the Incas took into account all the nuances of geology, topography, ecology and astronomy. All the buildings, distinguished by unusual triangular roofs, stand on natural slopes, but they are built in such a way that even in the event of an earthquake they will not suffer. Since 2007, this wonderful city has been included in the register of New Wonders of the World. His artifacts are exhibited in the museum of the city of Cusco.

An ancient city founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th century. BC, located on the Mediterranean coast next to the city of Homs (Africa, Libya). For 3 centuries it was subject to Carthage, at the end of the Second Punic War it belonged to the Numidians, and then to the Romans. The peak of its heyday falls at the end of II Art. AD Today, on the territory of the city, you can see many Roman monuments: the ruins of the Baths of Hadrian, the theater, the triumphal arch of Septim Sevres, the central hall with statues and mosaics, the ruins of once luxurious villas decorated with mosaics, the Forum, the semicircular Nymphaeum, the Basilica. Outside the city there is an amphitheater and a circus. The Roman Circle is also very interesting. The structure, resembling a horseshoe, is located on east side Leptis Magna.

The population of the globe began to settle in cities from antiquity. On our planet, cities founded several millennia ago are still preserved. And, what is most surprising, not all of them can be called extinct - life is in full swing in many. Of course, in such cities there is something to see for tourists - amazing sights, sacred places and the atmosphere of history make them very attractive.

1. Jericho (Palestine).

Estimated year of foundation: 9000 BC The oldest city in existence today. Archaeologists have found the remains of 20 Jericho settlements that are over 11,000 years old. The city is based on the western bank of the Jordan River. Now about 20,000 people live here.

2. Byblos (Lebanon).

Founded: 5000 BC The city, founded by the Phoenicians under the name "Gebal", received its present name from the Greeks, who imported papyrus here. The word "Bible" has one root with the toponym "Bibl". Among the main tourist attractions of the city are the Phoenician temples, the fortress of Byblos and the church of St. John the Baptist, built by the crusaders in the 12th century, as well as the old medieval city wall. The Byblos International Festival attracts many performers here.

3. Aleppo (Syria).

Founded: 4300 BC Syria's most populated city, with a population of approximately 4.4 million, was founded under the name Aleppo around 4300 BC. On the ancient site of the city there are modern residential and administrative buildings, so almost no archaeological excavations have been carried out here. Before 800 BC the city belonged to the Hittites, then to the Assyrians, Greeks and Persians. Later, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs lived here. Aleppo in the Middle Ages was conquered by the Crusaders, then by the Mongols and the Ottoman Empire.

4. Damascus (Syria).

Founded: 4300 BC Damascus, which some sources call the oldest inhabited city on earth, may have been inhabited as early as 10,000 BC, although this fact is disputed. After the arrival of the Arameans, who broke up the network of canals that still form the basis of modern water supply, the city became an important settlement. Damascus was conquered by the army of Alexander the Great, it was owned by the Romans, Arabs and Turks. Today, the abundance of historical sights makes the capital of Syria popular among tourists.

5. Susa (Iran).

Founded: 4200 BC Susa was the capital of the Elamite Empire, and then was conquered by the Assyrians. Then they passed into the possession of the Persian royal dynasty of Ahmenids during the reign of Cyrus the Great. Here is the scene of the tragedy of Aeschylus "The Persians", the oldest play in the history of the theater. About 65,000 people live in the modern city of Shusha.

6. Fayoum (Egypt).

Founded: 4000 BC Faiyum, located southwest of Cairo, is part of Crocodilopolis, an ancient Egyptian city where the god Sebek, depicted with the head of a crocodile, was revered. Several large bazaars, mosques and baths can be found in modern Faiyum. Near the city are the pyramids of Lechin and Khawara.

7. Sidon (Lebanon).

Founded: 4000 BC South of Beirut is Sidon, one of the most important and perhaps the oldest Phoenician cities. From here began to grow the great Mediterranean empire of the Phoenicians. They say that Sidon was visited by Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul. Alexander the Great captured the city in 333 BC.

8. Plovdiv (Bulgaria).

Founded: 4000 BC Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria, was originally a settlement of the Thracians and then became an important Roman city. Later, it passed into the hands of the Byzantines and Turks, and then became part of Bulgaria. The city is an important cultural center and boasts numerous ancient monuments, including a Roman amphitheater and aqueduct, as well as Turkish baths.

9. Gaziantep (Turkey).

Founded: 3650 BC The history of Gaziantep, founded in southern Turkey, near the Syrian border, goes back to the time of the Hittites. The fortress of Ravanda, restored by the Byzantines in the 6th century, is located in the center of the city. Fragments of Roman mosaics have also been found here.

10. Beirut (Lebanon).

Founded: 3000 BC The capital of Lebanon, as well as its cultural, administrative and economic center, boasts a rich history that is about 5000 years old. Excavations on the territory of the city made it possible to find Phoenician, ancient Greek, Roman, Arabic and Turkish artifacts. The city was mentioned in the messages of the Egyptian pharaoh as early as the 14th century. BC. Since the end of the Lebanese Civil War, Beirut has become a bustling modern place ideal for tourists.

11. Jerusalem (Israel).

Founded: 2800 BC The spiritual center of the Jews and the third holy city of Muslims is the location of several key attractions that mean a lot to believers. Among them are the Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. For long history the city was captured 23 times, attacked 52 times, besieged 44 times and destroyed twice.

12. Tire (Lebanon).

Founded: 2750 BC Tire is said to be the birthplace of Europa. It was founded around 2750 BC according to Herodotus. In 332 BC Alexander the Great conquered the city after a seven-month siege. In 64 BC Tire became a Roman province. Today the main industry legendary city is tourism: the Roman Hippodrome in Tire is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

13. Erbil (Iraq).

Founded: 2300 BC To the north of Kirkuk is Erbil, which at different times belonged to the Assyrians, Persians, Sassanids, Arabs and Turks. Erbil was an important settlement on the Silk Road, and its ancient fortress, towering 26 meters above the ground, still dominates the city landscape.

14. Kirkuk (Iraq).

Founded: 2200 BC Kirkuk, located north of Baghdad, stands on the site of the ancient Assyrian capital of Arrapha. The strategic importance of the settlement was recognized by the inhabitants of Babylon and Media, who controlled the city. The ruins of the 5000 year old fortress can still be seen. The city itself is now home to many Iraqi oil companies.

15. Balkh (Afghanistan).

Founded: 1500 BC Balkh, called Bactra by the ancient Greeks, is located in northern Afghanistan. The Arabs call it the "mother of cities". The city reached its heyday in 2500-1900. BC, even before the rise of the Persian and Median empires. Modern Balkh is the capital of the region's textile industry.

16. Athens (Greece).

Founded: 1400 BC Athens, the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, is a popular tourist destination. Here you can see Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Turkish monuments, and the heritage of the city is recognized throughout the world as the greatest.

17. Larnaca (Cyprus).

Founded: 1400 BC Larnaca, founded by the Phoenicians under the name "Sitium", is famous for its wonderful promenade lined with palm trees. Archaeological sites and numerous beaches attract many tourists.

18. Thebes (Greece).

Founded: 1400 BC Thebes, the main "rival" of Athens, led the Boetian confederation and even assisted Xerxes during the Persian invasion (480 BC). Archaeological excavations have shown that before the foundation of the city, there was a Mycenaean settlement here. Today Thebes is par excellence a trading city.

19. Cadiz (Spain).

Founded: 1100 BC Cadiz, built on a narrow piece of land near the Atlantic Ocean, has been built since the 18th century. is the main city of the Spanish fleet. It was founded by the Phoenicians as a small trading post. Around 500 BC the city went to the Carthaginians, from here Hannibal began the conquest of Iberia. Then the Romans and Moors ruled Cadiz, and during the years of the Great geographical discoveries he reached his peak.

20. Varanasi (India).

Founded: 1000 BC Varanasi, also known as Benares, is located on the western bank of the Ganges and is a significant holy city for both Hindus and Buddhists. According to legend, it was founded by the Hindu god Shiva 5,000 years ago, although modern scholars believe that the city is about 3,000 years old.

Among the other most ancient cities in Europe, we also note Lisbon (about 1000 BC), Rome (753 BC), Corfu (about 700 BC) and Mantua (about 500 BC).

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