Top 10 Early city/Settlements (20,000–10,000 years ago)

Between 20,000 and 10,000 years ago, human civilization was in the transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to early settled communities. While true cities as we understand them today didn't exist yet, some of the most significant early settlements and proto-cities during this period include:

Top 10 Early Settlements (20,000–10,000 years ago)

1. Natufian Settlements (Levant, ~14,500–10,000 years ago)

   • Located in present-day Israel, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.

   • Some of the first known sedentary hunter-gatherers.

   • Early structures suggest semi-permanent housing.

2. Göbekli Tepe (Turkey, ~12,000 years ago)

   • A massive ceremonial site with carved pillars and structures.

   • Likely a religious or gathering center rather than a city.

   • The world's oldest known large-scale stone construction.

3. Abu Hureyra (Syria, ~13,000–9,000 years ago)

   • One of the first sites with evidence of early farming.

   • Transitioned from hunter-gatherer lifestyle to agriculture.

   • Located along the Euphrates River.

4. Jericho (West Bank, ~11,000 years ago)

   • One of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements.

   • Early mud-brick walls suggest defense or flood protection.

   • Evidence of large-scale grain storage.

5. Çayönü (Turkey, ~10,500 years ago)

   • Early Neolithic settlement with rectangular stone buildings.

   • Among the first places where metallurgy may have begun.

   • Evidence of domesticated plants and animals.

6. Tell Qaramel (Syria, ~13,000 years ago)

   • Contained circular stone towers.

   • May have had early religious or defensive functions.

   • Possibly a precursor to the larger settlements of Mesopotamia.

7. Mehrgarh (Pakistan, ~9,000 years ago)

   • One of the earliest farming communities in South Asia.

   • Evidence of wheat, barley, and domesticated animals.

   • Later influenced the Indus Valley Civilization.

8. Ohalo II (Israel, ~19,000 years ago)

   • Well-preserved lakeside village.

   • Evidence of early bread-making and plant cultivation.

   • Shows how people began transitioning to agriculture.

9. Nahal Ein Gev II (Israel, ~12,000 years ago)

   • Early structures with stone foundations.

   • Evidence of long-term settlement with plant domestication.

10. Körtik Tepe (Turkey, ~11,000 years ago)

• One of the oldest known permanently settled villages.

• Stone-built homes with burial sites beneath floors.

• Evidence of complex social structures.

Key Takeaways:

• True cities didn't exist yet, but large settlements started forming.

• The Neolithic Revolution (around 12,000 years ago) led to permanent human settlements.

• Early sites like Göbekli Tepe and Jericho suggest organized society with monumental construction.

• Agriculture and domestication of animals were crucial for urbanization.

Between 10,000 and 5,000 years ago (8,000–3,000 BCE), the world saw the emergence of true cities, as agriculture allowed for larger, more permanent settlements. Here are 10 of the most significant cities of that era:

Top 10 Cities (10,000–5,000 years ago)

1. Jericho (West Bank, ~9,600 BCE – Present)

   • One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.

   • Had city walls by 8,000 BCE (suggesting defense).

   • Large population for its time (~1,000 people).

2. Çatalhöyük (Turkey, ~7,500–5,700 BCE)

   • One of the largest Neolithic settlements (~3,000–8,000 people).

   • Houses were clustered without streets; people moved via rooftops.

   • Evidence of early religion, trade, and art.

3. Mehrgarh (Pakistan, ~7,000 BCE – 2,600 BCE)

   • Early farming and craft specialization (ceramics, metallurgy).

   • A precursor to the Indus Valley Civilization.

4. Susa (Iran, ~7,000 BCE – Present)

   • Later became a major city of the Elamite and Persian empires.

   • Early trade hub between Mesopotamia and the Iranian plateau.

5. Eridu (Iraq, ~5,400 BCE – 600 BCE)

   • The first Sumerian city, linked to myths of civilization's origin.

   • Had temples dedicated to Enki, the water god.

6. Uruk (Iraq, ~5,000 BCE – 3,100 BCE and beyond)

   • One of the first true megacities (50,000+ people by 3,100 BCE).

   • Associated with King Gilgamesh and the earliest writing (cuneiform).

   • Monumental ziggurats (temples) and extensive trade networks.

7. Ain Ghazal (Jordan, ~7,200 BCE – 5,000 BCE)

   • Large Neolithic settlement (~3,000 people).

   • Known for early statues and art.

   • Had early social stratification (some structures larger than others).

8. Tell Brak (Syria, ~6,500 BCE – 3,000 BCE)

   • Large proto-city with organized streets and districts.

   • One of the first places with evidence of conflict and social hierarchy.

9. Nippur (Iraq, ~5,000 BCE – 300 CE)

   • A major religious center in Sumerian civilization.

   • Had a ziggurat dedicated to Enlil, god of air.

   • Important for early political and religious development.

10. Harappa (Pakistan, ~5,000 BCE – 3,000 BCE and beyond)

• Early Indus Valley settlement before the rise of Harappan Civilization.

• Shows early planned urban design, with streets and drainage.

Key Takeaways:

• Cities were forming due to agriculture, trade, and social organization.

• Mesopotamia (Iraq, Syria, Iran) saw the first major urban centers.

• Uruk and Eridu were crucial for early civilization.

• Early trade routes linked the Middle East, South Asia, and beyond.

Between 5,000 and 1,000 years ago (3,000 BCE – 1,000 CE), civilizations flourished, and many of the world’s greatest cities emerged. These cities were centers of politics, trade, religion, and culture.

Top 10 Cities (5,000–1,000 years ago)

1. Uruk (Iraq, ~3,100 BCE – 300 CE)

   • One of the first true cities, reaching 50,000+ people.

   • Center of Sumerian culture and cuneiform writing.

   • Home of King Gilgamesh and the Epic of Gilgamesh.

2. Memphis (Egypt, ~3,100 BCE – 600 CE)

   • First capital of unified Egypt, founded by Pharaoh Menes.

   • Home to the Temple of Ptah and pyramids nearby.

   • Later overshadowed by Thebes and Alexandria.

3. Babylon (Iraq, ~2,300 BCE – 100 CE)

   • Capital of Hammurabi's empire (c. 1,800 BCE).

   • Later ruled by Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 600 BCE).

   • Famous for the Hanging Gardens and Ishtar Gate.

4. Thebes (Egypt, ~2,000 BCE – 500 CE)

   • Capital of Middle and New Kingdom Egypt.

   • Home to Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings.

   • Key city during the reign of Ramses II.

5. Xianyang → Chang’an (China, ~1,000 BCE – 900 CE)

   • Xianyang was the first imperial capital (Qin Dynasty, ~221 BCE).

   • Later, Chang’an became the capital of the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE).

   • One of the world’s largest cities (~1 million people).

6. Rome (Italy, ~753 BCE – Present)

   • Center of the Roman Republic and Empire.

   • Largest city (~1 million people) by 100 CE.

   • Ruled much of Europe, the Mediterranean, and North Africa.

7. Constantinople (Turkey, ~330 CE – Present)

   • Founded by Emperor Constantine.

   • Capital of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire.

   • Known for Hagia Sophia and strong walls.

8. Baghdad (Iraq, ~762 CE – Present)

   • Capital of the Abbasid Caliphate.

   • Center of Islamic Golden Age, science, and philosophy.

   • Had the House of Wisdom and a population of ~1 million.

9. Córdoba (Spain, ~900 CE – 1,000 CE)

   • Capital of Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain).

   • One of Europe’s largest cities (~500,000 people).

   • Famous for the Great Mosque of Córdoba and learning centers.

10. Tenochtitlán (Mexico, ~1325 CE – 1521 CE)

• Aztec capital, built on an island in Lake Texcoco.

• Had causeways, canals, and pyramids.

• Destroyed by Hernán Cortés in 1521, later became Mexico City.

Key Takeaways:

• Empires built massive cities—Rome, Constantinople, Baghdad, and Thebes.

• China and the Islamic world had some of the largest and most advanced cities.

• Mesoamerica (Tenochtitlán) built impressive urban centers before European contact.

• Many of these cities still exist or evolved into modern metropolises.

Top 10 Cities of the Last 2,000 Years (1 CE – Present)

Over the last 2,000 years, cities have risen and fallen based on political, economic, and technological changes. Below are 10 of the most significant cities during this period:

1. Rome (Italy, 1 CE – Present)

• Capital of the Roman Empire (~1 million people by 100 CE).

• Center of law, engineering, and Christianity.

• Survived the empire’s fall and became the seat of the Catholic Church.

2. Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey, 330 CE – Present)

• Founded by Emperor Constantine in 330 CE.

• Capital of the Byzantine Empire and later the Ottoman Empire.

• Famous for Hagia Sophia and massive walls.

3. Chang’an (Xi’an, China, 1 CE – 900 CE)

• Capital of the Han and Tang Dynasties.

• One of the largest cities (~1 million people) in the world around 700 CE.

• A key trade hub on the Silk Road.

4. Baghdad (Iraq, 762 CE – Present)

• Capital of the Abbasid Caliphate and center of the Islamic Golden Age.

• Home of the House of Wisdom (science, medicine, philosophy).

• One of the world’s largest cities (~1 million people by 900 CE).

5. Córdoba (Spain, 900 CE – 1,000 CE)

• Capital of Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain).

• Had mosques, libraries, and hospitals, making it Europe’s most advanced city.

• A major intellectual and cultural center (~500,000 people).

6. Beijing (China, 1,000 CE – Present)

• Became China’s capital under the Ming Dynasty (1400s CE).

• Home to the Forbidden City and Great Wall expansions.

• A global center of power today with 21+ million people.

7. London (UK, 1,500 CE – Present)

• Grew during the British Empire (1600s–1900s).

• The world’s largest city (~6.5 million people) in 1900 CE.

• Today, a leading financial and cultural hub.

8. Paris (France, 1,000 CE – Present)

• Became a major European city in the Middle Ages.

• Center of the French Revolution (1789).

• Today, a global leader in culture, fashion, and politics.

9. New York City (USA, 1800 CE – Present)

• Became America’s economic center by the late 1800s.

• Key entry point for immigrants (Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty).

• One of the most influential cities in modern finance and culture.

10. Tokyo (Japan, 1600 CE – Present)

• Originally Edo, became Tokyo in 1868.

• The world’s largest city (~37 million people today).

• A global center of technology, economy, and culture.

Key Takeaways:

• Rome, Constantinople, and Chang’an were dominant in early centuries.

• Baghdad and Córdoba led the Islamic Golden Age.

• London, Paris, and New York shaped modern Western power.

• Tokyo and Beijing define Asia’s global rise today.