Title on Photograph: EARLY URBANISATION, 3,500 - 1,500 BC
Material: MAP
Comments on Photo: IMAGE FROM: ONIANS, JOHN (2004), ATLAS OF WORLD ART. LAURENCE KING PUBLISHING LTD. MAP 1, PAGE 22.
Comments on Subject: THE EARLIEST CITIES OF THE WORLD WERE CONCENTRATED IN FOUR LIMITED REGIONS, EACH CENTRED ON A MAJOR RIVER OR RIVERINE SYSTEM. THESE PROVIDED THE FERTILE SOILS AND THE WATER NEEDED TO GROW REGULAR HARVESTS OF WHEAT, BARLEY, MILLET AND RICE. THE POPULATIONS OF THE FIRST CITIES WERE SMALL BY MODERN STANDARDS - NUMBERING USUALLY ONLY A FEW THOUSAND PEOPLE - BUT THEY POSSESSED A WIDE RANGE OF CRAFT SKILLS AND ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING RITUAL SPECIALISTS, BUREAUCRATS AND TRADERS. THESE TOGETHER CREATED BOTH NEW NEEDS AND NEW POTENTIAL, GIVING RISE TO POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS ART AND ARCHITECTURE.
