Investigating the controversial phenomenon
There are many ancient cities, but not all of them have been continuously inhabited ever since the first settlements. Several cities, however, have been populated for millennia, and it seems like they're not going anywhere anytime soon. Most of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but some are sadly at risk of disappearing.
In this gallery, we bring you some of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Click on to learn all about them.
Argos was one of the most important cities in ancient Greece. The first settlements are believed to date back to around 3000 BCE.
Archaeological structures from different civilizations have been uncovered in the area. These include those belonging to the Mycenaeans, Greeks, and Romans.
Its location on the Mediterranean Sea made it a strategic city for the Phoenicians, though it was coveted and inhabited by several empires throughout the years, including the Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans.
It's believed that Sidon has been continuously inhabited since about 4000 BCE. Today, it's the third-largest city in Lebanon.
Also known as Philippopolis to the Greeks and Romans, the city was originally a Thracian settlement dating back to around 4000 BCE. Plovdiv was later under Ottoman rule for a period of time.
Today, Plovdiv is the second-largest city in the country, and remains a historical and beautiful destination on the banks of the Maritsa river.
Jerusalem is a city like no other. The holy city for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam dates back to sometime between 4500 and 3400 BCE.
Jerusalem's Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to over 200 historic monuments. For centuries, the city has had a troubled history of conflict and dispute. Today, both Palestinians and Israelis claim it as their capital.
Famous writer Mark Twain once wrote that the city "is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together." It turns out he wasn't completely wrong, but he wasn't completely right either.
This city by the Ganges not only is India's oldest, but it's also one of the most important cities for Hindus. Funeral rites (cremations) are famously performed in the city, which dates back to around 1000 BCE.
The ancient city of Susa, currently known as Shush, is actually mentioned in the Book of Esther in the Bible as "Shushan."
The UNESCO World Heritage Site has been continuously inhabited since around 5000 to 4000 BCE.
It's believed that Byblos has been continuous inhabited since about 5000 BCE. Though there is evidence of a Phoenician settlement dating back to 7000 BCE.
The city by the Mediterranean Sea has been inhabited by different civilizations as well as having been under the rule of several empires, including the Egyptians, Persians, Romans, and the Ottoman Empire.
Known as the the birthplace of Western civilization, home of philosophy and the Olympics, Athens is the oldest European capital, and has been continuously inhabited since about 5000 BCE.
The ancient citadel, known as the Acropolis of Athens, is home to the city's most famous monuments, including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
The area where Faiyum currently stands was home to several settlements over millennia, including the city of Shedet, which was known by the Greeks as Crocodilopolis.
The name derived from the fact that the inhabitants of the city worshiped a crocodile named Petsuchos that lived in the river. They believed the animal to be an embodiment of the deity Sobek. Records date the first settlements to 5000 BCE.
Strategically located between the Mediterranean Sea and Mesopotamia, Aleppo has always been an important city. It's believed that it has been continuously inhabited since around 6000 to 5000 BCE.
Sadly, this magnificent city, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been devastated by war over the last few years. Many of its historical monuments have been destroyed or damaged as a result.
Formerly known as Arbela, Erbil (which is also known as Hawler) has been continuously inhabited since about 6000 BCE. The fortified settlement known as Erbil Citadel is the city's most iconic attraction.
Today, the city is a mix of ancient and modern, with a buzzing cosmopolitan atmosphere, and it's famous for its market, restaurants, shops, and nightlife.
The capital of Ray County is part of the Greater Tehran metropolitan area. It's believed that this city has been continuously inhabited since about 6000 BCE.
The city is home to numerous historical sites, including the Cheshmeh-Ali, which is an ancient recreational area featuring a water spring believed to date back to around 5000 BCE.
Damascus is one of the world' most ancient cities, and indeed the oldest capital in the world. It's estimated that it has been continuously inhabited since around 10,000 to 8000 BCE.
Damascus has been a cultural hub in the Arab world for millennia. It's considered the fourth holiest city in Islam, and is indeed one of the most beautiful in the world.
Located on the banks of the Nile in southern Egypt, Luxor is one of the country's biggest tourist attractions. The ancient Pharaonic city of Thebes has been inhabited ever since about 3200 BCE.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to numerous ancient settings, including the Karnak Temple Complex, the Valley of the Kings, and the Valley of the Queens.
The fortifications of Jericho date back to between 9000 and 8000 BCE, but the city in the Jordan Valley has been continuously inhabited since around between 11,000 and 9300 BCE.
Jericho is located below sea level, making it the lowest continuously inhabited city on the planet.
Sources: (U.S. News & World Report) (Treehugger) (TheTravel) (The Guardian)
The oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world
Some are UNESCO sites while others have been forgotten
TRAVEL Ancient world
There are many ancient cities, but not all of them have been continuously inhabited ever since the first settlements. Several cities, however, have been populated for millennia, and it seems like they're not going anywhere anytime soon. Most of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but some are sadly at risk of disappearing.
In this gallery, we bring you some of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Click on to learn all about them.