Do you know that? The Oldest State And Oldest Town Of The World

When I chose a subject of today´s article, I said to myself that after technics, architecture and nature, something non-traditional would follow, but, finally, I chose a theme, which would be close to us. This subject would be the age or old age, which would not  concern human life, but more human products, or better to say, their seats, which became as most lasting places of human settlement, from administrative point of view, at least.

When I searched for the most ancient official states of the world, I received moderately controversy results. Even various sources mention that some numbers or historical data could be rather inaccurate. But you would have a confidence in some official sources. So, we have a rank of those really oldest localities, the beginning of which could be presented.

Most of school lectures of history starts from primeval age. It is interesting but such subject would be consumed quickly, and time period of great civilizations begins, which were created,  first of all, on territories of actual Near East, Mediterranean, north part of Africa, etc., and small part of lectures would be dedicated to Far East and Asia, specially to Japan, the Country of Rising Sun. You could have an objection that Japan is, making comparison to ancient Egypt, Sumer Empire, Etruscs, etc.,that these would be relatively young nations. Nevertheless, as mentioned above, this article would be describing the oldest  proved states, no any civilizations or nations.

So, Japan would be the most ancient state of the world. The country was founded, according to the tradition, by Dzhimmu, the first Emperor, just in 660 B.C. The Japanese celebrate their first day of Luna Month on 11th February. This is a date when  the first Emperor took a throne, and so, the State of Japan was created officially. Dzhimmu was, at the same time, a grandson of Amaterasu, Goddess of Sun, (one of most respected persons), from main Shintoistic Japanese deities. Anyway, a real swing of the then Japan arrived during 300 B.C. On the other hand, the handwriting and religion belonged to some of oldest elements of local culture, which came to Japan from China, which is, on scale of the oldest states,on the second place. (the third place takes, Ethiopia and San Marino is of  the forth one - in 301 A. D.). Anyway, at that time, the Emperors had their formal power only. This quickly developping state had its power, first of all, on court-aristocracy and Shoguns-military administrators. These leaders became, after victory struggles, the governors of the whole Empire, and ruled there, with kind Emperor´s permit, from Kyoto, former capital of the Empire.

Anyway, the history of Japanese Islands is very interesting, no doubt, but we have to continue our wandering agead, regarding the most ancient seats of people.

And now, we meet some small problems, as to find right revelation of the question - (i.e. which town would be the most ancient of the world). It would be a task for an experienced historian, antropologist or google -maniak.

So, the title of most ancient town (even till now populated seat, if possible) could be divided into several Near East neighbours, and we try to determine a winner, according to such arguments. Nevertheless, only God would know, how it was in fact…

Damascus, a capital of Syria, belongs to main candidates. The history informs that the town was established during time period of 10-8000 years B.C. The locality is even mentioned in the Bible, first of all, in connection with historical relation with the Arameits (this was partially nomadic-shepherd nation, inhabitating originally the territory of Mesopotamia). This nation had never its own Empire but it influenced strongly with their language all local cultures of Near East nations.

Now, we do not need to wander for long distance, in order to come to the next, potentionally oldest town of the world. It is Byblos in Leban, a port, situated not far from Beirut, Lebanese capital. This seat was inhabitated just during neolitic periods, i.e. in 5000 year B.C. Similarly, as in case of all localities from that time period, this town is interwoven with desire of Gods, concretely by Kronos - the father of Zeus. Anyway, you can find many places of such importance in this area, and so, it is really not easy to stipulate those most ancient town. Nevertheless, let´s continue our wandering...

The town of Jericho belongs to another important candidates, as far as most ancient localities is concerned. The town is situated along west bank of Jordan-river, in north-east direction from Jerusalemme. During past century, extensive archaeological works were effected there. After taking off many stratta of sediments from original communities, the researchers discovered the lowest level of local settlement, the age of which was estimated to the period of 9000 years B.C. This locality belongs really to very hot candidates of a title „The Most Ancient Place“, continually colonized. Anyway, these are the rests of so called Old Jericho. Nevertheless, new town has quite interesting primacy, i.e. „the lowest inhabitated town of the world“. Such stage was caused with its position inside solitary bottom of Jordan-river valley, i.e. 250 metres below sea level! So, at a conclusion, I let, maybe, most confidential reference to a place, which would be, according to actual archaeological investigations, just those most ancient one. The rests of perished civilization were finally discovered in India, concretely in Khambat Bay, State Gudzharat. The findings of artefacts of ceramics, small statues or even human teeth refer to time period of 8000-9000 years B.C. - in accordance to radio-carbon methode. So, this former town is placed close to the town of Dwarka, shrine Hindu place, consecrated to Krshna God. However, the archaeologists did not got on well with exact data stipulation of all findings. So, those most optimistic estimations speak about the fact that such age could be nearly 9500 years B.C. Nevertheless, such age could be rather suspicious - In such case, this town would be 5000 years older as most ancient known traces of civilization in valley of Indus-river. But this time it is mentioned no notice regarding standard excavation archaeology, but submarine investigation of flooded and in past inhabitated locations - i.e. sea archaeology. So, the most ancient inundated town, with monuments of human civilization, could be really stipulated from actually inhabitated overland towns. It is very difficult task and it is worth to work more detailed investigation study. So, let´s continue the description of this subject for the next time…

Text: Jan Chaloupka

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: wikipedia commons