Article 01
Before the First Cities: How Settled Communities Took Shape
Before the great cities of Mesopotamia, communities were finding ways to stay, store food and share space.
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A Libradia history series
The First Cities
Begin with settled communities and follow the growth of cities, trade and writing in Mesopotamia, with a wider look at the world around them.
5 published articles · Read in order or choose a story below.
Start with article 1Articles in this series
Article 02
Sumer: A World of Cities, Temples and Trade
Discover Sumer through its cities, temples and trade.
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Article 03
Uruk: How an Early City Worked
Explore early Uruk through its buildings, waterways and clay tablets.
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Article 04
How Writing Began in Mesopotamia: From Accounts to Language
How did early accounts become written language?
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Article 05
Beyond Mesopotamia: The World Around 3500 BCE
Look beyond Mesopotamia to communities along the Nile and across other regions, separating contemporary developments from famous monuments built later.
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