1. Urbanization
Ancient Cities

2. When did Urbanization appear?
Mesopotamia 4500 B.C.
Nile Valley 3200 B.C.
Indus Valley 3000 B.C.
Huang Ho 2500 B.C.
Andean Region 2000 B.C.
Mesoamerica 1500 B.C.

3. Urban Hearth Areas

5. Irrigation / agriculture
Irrigation from Mesopotamia
Irrigation from Peru

6. Agriculture

7. Specialized labor Pottery

8. Features of an ancient city
Symbolic Centers were seen as the center of the world.
Cities were laid out to match the four cardinal directions.
Cities were laid in spatial harmony, so the human world would be aligned with the universe.

9.  The Symbolic center was located in the center of the city.
The symbolic center was seen as the center of the world.
The symbolic center was usually walled from the rest of the city.
The center was dominated by the religious temple and/or palace. The granary was usually found close by.

10. Another Symbolic Center

11. Sargon

12. Functions of Ancient Cites
Protection
Places to gather surplus food
Distribution center
Place of Religious center
Center of Authority (king)
Provide law and order

13. Knosso-palace-air on the island of Crete
Gathering and Distribution Center
Knosso-palace-air on the island of Crete

14. Lion Gate at Mycenae Walled cities were used for protection
The blocks were so big Greeks thought Cyclopes most have built these cities.

15. Another view

16. Mycenae
Kingly possessions
tomb

17. Code of Hammurabi
Rule of Law