Ancient Earth. Long before Rome rose or the pyramids pierced the skies of Egypt, a city emerged from the Mesopotamian plains that would shape the very idea of civilisation. That city was Uruk, nestled in what is now southern Iraq, and it is widely regarded as the first true city in human history. As early as 4000 BC, Uruk was not merely a settlement but a thriving urban centre, teeming with life, innovation, and complexity. At its peak, it may have housed up to 80,000 people—a staggering population for the ancient world—making it the largest city on Earth at the time.

Uruk introduced many of the defining features of civilisation. Its skyline was dominated by monumental temples, particularly in the Eanna district, dedicated to the goddess Inanna. These structures were not only religious centres but also hubs of economic and political activity. The city pioneered one of humanity’s first known writing systems—cuneiform—etched into clay tablets to record everything from trade to literature. It also developed specialised labour, organised governance, and intricate irrigation systems, all underpinned by a bureaucratic class that kept the city functioning like a living organism.

But like all great cities, Uruk’s reign eventually waned. Environmental degradation from over-irrigation salted the once-fertile fields. The Euphrates River, once its lifeblood, shifted away. Trade routes evolved, and rising powers such as Akkad and Babylon chipped away at Uruk’s influence. Its mudbrick architecture, while once impressive, eroded over time without stone to preserve it.

By the 3rd century AD, Uruk was completely abandoned, swallowed by the desert sands. For centuries, it lay forgotten until archaeologists rediscovered its remains. Though now a ruined mound, Uruk’s legacy lives on—in the concept of the city itself, born thousands of years ago from the ingenuity and ambition of ancient Sumerians.

Vietnam ဗိယက်နမ်၏ အမှိုက်ကပြန် လုပ်တဲ့ အုနိးဆံဖတ် ဖျာ

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1561024491543377?fs=e&fs=e&s=TIeQ9V