The oldest city on Earth presents the most important information about it, as there are many cities that have existed for millions of years and still exist today. These cities have stories and tales through the ages, and some cities hold cultural significance. Through this article, we will discuss the oldest city on Earth.
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Ranking of the Oldest Cities in the World
- Jericho, located in Palestine, ranks first with a founding date of 9000 BC.
- Amman, located in Jordan, ranks second with a founding date of 8000 BC.
- Argos, located in Greece, ranks third with a founding date of 5000 BC.
- Athens, located in Greece, ranks fourth with a founding date between 4000 to 5000 BC.
- Fayoum in Egypt ranks fifth with a founding date of 4000 BC.
- Hebron in Palestine ranks sixth with a founding date of 3500 BC.
- Damascus in Syria ranks seventh with a founding date of 3000 BC.
- Beirut in Lebanon ranks eighth with a founding date of 3000 BC.
- Homs in Syria ranks ninth with a founding date of 3000 BC.
- Byblos in Lebanon ranks tenth with a founding date of 3000 BC.
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A Group of the Oldest Cities in the World
There are several cities in the world that have existed for millions of years, such as:
- The City of Luxor in Egypt.
- The City of Plovdiv in Bulgaria.
- The City of Jerusalem in Palestine.
- The City of Sidon in Lebanon.
- The City of Athens in Greece.
- The City of Aleppo in Syria.
- The City of Argos in Greece.
- The City of Antakya in Turkey.
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What is the oldest city on Earth?
The oldest city on Earth dates back millions of years, and some of the oldest cities are:
- The City of Luxor in Egypt: Luxor was the ancient capital of Egypt, established around 3200 BC. The city contains archaeological sites dating back thousands of years, with one-third of the world’s antiquities found here.
- Tangier in Morocco: Known as the land of the Berbers, Tangier was founded in the 14th century BC by the Amazigh and became the largest trade center in the Mediterranean. It was settled by the Phoenicians in the 10th century BC.
- Tripoli in Libya: Tripoli was known in ancient times as Oea and was established in the 7th century BC during the Phoenician era, serving as a primary hub for the export of materials from Africa.
- The City of Fayoum in Egypt: Civilization emerged along the banks of the Nile, and Fayoum, once known for its prehistoric civilization, is home to many fossils. The ancient city was called “the house of the crocodile” due to the presence of crocodiles.
- Damascus: Damascus is considered the oldest city on Earth, home to the Umayyad Mosque, the largest and oldest mosque throughout history, dating back approximately 11,000 years. Its location has made it a meeting point for different civilizations, currently known as the capital of Arab culture.
- Jericho in the West Bank: The founding date of Jericho is 9000 BC, making it one of the oldest Arab cities.
- Aleppo: Aleppo dates back to 8000 BC, with archaeological discoveries indicating it as one of the oldest human settlements. The city has been mentioned in cuneiform tablets, indicating its commercial and military significance.
- Byblos in Lebanon: This city was established around 5000 BC, located north of Beirut, and is considered one of the most important cities in terms of history and culture. It has archaeological sites classified by UNESCO.
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Historical Landmarks of Byblos
It thrived in the trade of cedar wood and was a significant exporter to countries like Egypt. Among the most notable landmarks in Byblos are:
- The Crusader Castle: This castle was built by the Crusaders in the 12th century and overlooks the city’s harbor. The castle contains many relics from the Egyptian, Phoenician, and Roman periods.
- The Wax Museum: This ancient museum features numerous artifacts from the Phoenician era to modern times and serves as a narrative of historical civilizations.
- St. John Mark Church: Established by the Crusaders in 1115, it is characterized by its tall buildings and Romanesque arches.
- The House of Al-Hussami: This house was inhabited by the Al-Hussami family during the 19th century and gained fame due to its long history of gold prospecting.
