What is The Oldest Surviving City In The Globe?

There are dozens of cities across the globe that have been lived in by humans for thousands upon thousands of years. Nonetheless, when it comes to pinpointing the oldest constantly inhabited city, there is no simple answer. 

The conundrum is a bit like the Ship of Theseus believed experiment: if a city is knocked down, restored, moved slightly, constructed on top rated of, knocked down once again, and reconstructed, is it the exact same city or a new entity? 

With no obtaining as well bogged down in philosophical roundabouts, there are a quantity of areas that could possibly take the crown of the world’s longest-standing city – nearly all of which lay in the Middle East.

The city of Jericho, recognized for an infamous war in the Old Testament that in all probability didn’t occur, is normally credited with becoming the earliest city that is nonetheless standing. Archaeological proof has recommended the location has been the internet site of many successive settlements more than the previous millennia. Components of the city and its renowned walls are believed to have been initial constructed about 9,000 BCE. 

Nonetheless, these structures need to not be confused with modern day-day Jericho, the Palestinian city in the West Bank. The ancient component of Jericho is essentially recognized as Inform es-Sultan, about two kilometers (1.two miles) north of the present-day city center. There is some debate about irrespective of whether it can be regarded as constantly inhabited, but if you are asked what the oldest city is in the course of a quiz, then it is most likely they will be expecting the answer “Jericho.” 

Panoramic view of Aleppo just before the Syrian Civil War.

Image credit: Benedikt Saxler/Shutterstock.com

Syria also consists of some powerful contenders for the crown. Damascus was previously regarded as an undisputed champion for oldest city, with archaeological remains indicating that humans had been there as early as 9,000 BCE. However, 1 present view is that individuals didn’t continually settle in present-day Damascus till about six,000 years later. 

Aleppo may well, in truth, be a secure selection. This city has develop into synonymous with the ongoing Syrian Civil War, but this is just a tragic blip in the lengthy life of this settlement. Archaeological remains recommend Aleppo might have been inhabited considering the fact that the sixth millennium BCE. It definitely started to flourish in the course of the Golden Age of the Silk Road from the 12th to early 15th century CE.  

Final but not least, the city of Faiyum in Egypt deserves a mention. It was initially founded by the ancient Egyptians as Shedet. Due to the settlement’s obsession with the crocodile god Sobek, the Greeks named it “Crocodilopolis.” Positioned some 130 kilometers (80 miles) southwest of the modern day capital Cairo, pottery and structures close to the city recommend humans had been right here considering the fact that about five,500 BCE, producing it the oldest city in Egypt and 1 of the oldest settlements in Africa.