I have a question, because I've also seen Jericho described as the world's oldest city, or sometimes rephrased as a "settlement" (per the Britannica entry below, for example). How exactly do archaeologists define the term "city"? Is it in terms of the number of buildings, irrigation networks (suggesting attempts at agriculture), population, etc? Because again Jericho dates back to roughly 11,000 - 9,000 BC. What does the Eridu civilization have that Jericho does not?
I'm fascinated by how such terminology shapes our understanding of history!
That is an excellent question and not one that I clearly understand myself. I too feel it is being used loosely but also believe that population and structure / layout probably have something to do with it. You are right Jericho is very old but what makes it different where it is overlooked?
I have a question, because I've also seen Jericho described as the world's oldest city, or sometimes rephrased as a "settlement" (per the Britannica entry below, for example). How exactly do archaeologists define the term "city"? Is it in terms of the number of buildings, irrigation networks (suggesting attempts at agriculture), population, etc? Because again Jericho dates back to roughly 11,000 - 9,000 BC. What does the Eridu civilization have that Jericho does not?
I'm fascinated by how such terminology shapes our understanding of history!
https://www.britannica.com/place/Jericho-West-Bank
That is an excellent question and not one that I clearly understand myself. I too feel it is being used loosely but also believe that population and structure / layout probably have something to do with it. You are right Jericho is very old but what makes it different where it is overlooked?