Chapter 1: Introduction to the Oldest City

The quest to uncover humanity's earliest urban settlements is a captivating journey. Among these, Tell Brak stands out, predating even the renowned cities of Sumer and Egypt.

On February 28, 1934, a book titled "Murder in the Calais Coach" was released in the UK and the US. Many recognize it better by its more popular title, "Murder on the Orient Express," penned by the legendary detective fiction author Agatha Christie. Readers often regard this work as a timeless classic in the mystery genre.

However, you may be wondering how this ties into the story of the first city in human history. The connection lies with Max Mallowan, the principal archaeologist who led excavations in northern Syria from 1937 to 1938. Initially thought to be a prehistoric settlement, the site revealed itself to be one of the earliest cities known to humanity.

Interestingly, Mallowan's fame extended beyond his archaeological achievements; he was also Agatha Christie's husband. Christie accompanied him on his digs and chronicled her adventures in her autobiographical book, "Come, Tell Me How You Live." With a passion for archaeology, Christie often joined her husband on his fieldwork, unaware that they were on the brink of discovering the world's oldest city.

Chapter 2: Understanding Tell Brak

Before delving into what makes Tell Brak unique, it's essential to grasp the criteria that define an archaeological site as a city, and how the earliest cities differ from the oldest ones.

The earliest cities in recorded history, like Byblos, are significant for being among the first urban centers ever established. The distinction lies in the terminology: "earliest cities" refer to the first settlements ever created, regardless of their current status, while "oldest cities" are those still inhabited today.

For instance, Thebes and Memphis, centers of ancient Egyptian power, are examples of earliest cities. Mallowan and his team were initially uncertain about what they would uncover at Tell Brak. Before World War II, considerable debate existed about the classification of a settlement as an urban center.

In the 1950s, Australian archaeologist Gordon V. Childe established key criteria for identifying a city. Despite advancements in archaeology since then, many of Childe's definitions continue to hold true. According to him, a city must be densely populated, feature impressive monuments, exhibit signs of trade, display a hierarchical social structure, cultivate arts and sciences, and possess a writing system.

Childe's framework helps clarify why Jericho, though inhabited long before Tell Brak, is not considered the earliest city. Jericho only became an urban center in the third millennium BC, while Tell Brak was already a prominent city by then.

The first video, The Earliest Known Cities in the WORLD, explores the foundations of urban civilization and examines various ancient cities, including Tell Brak.

Chapter 3: The Rise and Fall of Tell Brak

Excavations at Tell Brak began in the 1930s, but a modern investigation led by archaeologist David Oates commenced in 1976. Initially a small settlement in the seventh millennium BC, Tell Brak expanded to 55 acres by the end of the fifth millennium, surrounded by a defined city wall.

Experts suggest that during this period, Tell Brak flourished as an urban center, featuring paved roads and a class-based society, alongside the emergence of monumental architecture. Among the significant finds was a large structure from the early 4th millennium BC known as the "Eye Temple," which housed numerous eye figurines.

These enigmatic relics are believed to represent Belet Nagar, the deity of the city, with some scholars suggesting a connection between Belet Nagar and the goddess Inanna, known for her associations with fertility.

By 3800 BC, Tell Brak had grown to 130 hectares, and trade routes with southern Mesopotamia likely began around 3600 BC. The Sumerian city of Uruk established a trading colony there by 3000 BC, indicating Tell Brak's importance in regional commerce.

The second video, Jericho - The First City on Earth? // Ancient History Documentary, investigates the claims of Jericho as the first city and its implications for understanding urban development.

Nagar, as Tell Brak was known around 2600 BC, became a significant trade hub, with evidence of an administrative center known as the "Brak Oval." Historical texts, such as the Ebla tablets, reference Nagar and its ruler, "En," although specific names remain elusive.

However, Nagar faced destruction by the Akkadians around 2300 BC during the rise of Sargon of Akkad. Archaeologists have uncovered the palace of Naram-Sin, Sargon's grandson, which highlights the city's historical importance.

As political turmoil ensued, the Hurrians, a group from northern Mesopotamia, eventually took control of Tell Brak, followed by the Mitanni, a powerful civilization in the region.

Chapter 4: The Legacy of Tell Brak

By the 14th century BC, the Assyrians overthrew the Mitanni, leading to further instability in Nagar. Despite its decline, archaeological evidence indicates that Tell Brak remained a thriving city throughout the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Sassanid Persian periods.

Ultimately, Tell Brak was abandoned during the early Abbasid Caliphate in the 8th century, with the Abbasids being its last known inhabitants. They constructed a canal linking the town to the Jaghjagh River for water supply.

Historically, Uruk has often been considered the world's first metropolis. However, the discoveries at Tell Brak challenge this narrative and prompt us to reassess our understanding of early urbanism.

As new archaeological finds continue to emerge, they may further reshape our perceptions of ancient cities. What if another site emerges that challenges Tell Brak's status? The search for humanity's oldest city remains an ongoing and exciting endeavor.

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