Why Some Ancient Cities Were Abandoned While Others Became Modern Cities

The history of human habitation is rich with stories of ancient cities that flourished and then mysteriously vanished, or were later covered by modern cities. This phenomenon is evident in many parts of the world, including Rome, Constantinople, and various cities in Egypt and Mesoamerica. Here, we explore the reasons behind these abandoned cities and the nature of modern cities built on their former sites.

Reasons for Ancient Cities Being Abandoned

Various factors contributed to the abandoned status of some ancient cities. Climate change, outbreaks of plague or disease, shifts in rivers, and war or political instability often led to the desertion of these cities. For example, cities in Mesoamerica were abandoned due to severe droughts, while those in Cambodia suffered from flooding.

A prime example is Pompeii and Herculaneum, both of which were buried under volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius. Carthage experienced significant destruction and rebuilding, leading to its abandonment and repopulation over time. Rome, on the other hand, was not abandoned but saw its population decrease post-empire, leading to some structures, such as the Pantheon, being repurposed as churches. The city later experienced a resurgence during the Renaissance.

Other cities, like Constantinople, found new life under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, while London grew from several older cities merging into a larger entity, with some Roman remains still evident. In the case of Egypt, myriad cities along the Nile were eventually lost to the advancing desert. Two notable examples are Alexandria, which was destroyed by an earthquake, and Troy, which was lost after the war.

Challenging the Fall of Rome

The decline of Rome, once a vast empire, has been a subject of intense debate among historians for centuries. Theories range from internal corruption and economic collapse to external invasions by barbarian tribes. However, recent research suggests a more complex scenario where a long-term, catastrophic downturn may have caused widespread depopulation, particularly in the Western Roman Empire. This period was characterized by many regions becoming vacant and fields lying fallow.

Barbarian tribes in the 6th century did not so much invade the remnants of the Western Empire as they occupied the vacuums created by its disintegration. Nevertheless, the exact cause of this downturn remains a mystery. Some experts now consider the possibility of astrophysical events as a contributing factor, though this is still speculative.

Building on the Ruins

Despite the abandonment or destruction of some cities, many cities remained in advantageous locations. Successive generations often chose to rebuild or expand within the same area, sometimes using the remains of the old cities as a foundation. Over time, this led to multiple layers of history overlapping and creating a fascinating archaeological landscape.

Diseases, famines, floods, earthquakes, and volcanoes provided compelling reasons to abandon a city. However, the decision to relocate was not always straightforward. Some cities that possessed a strategic advantage would continue to be inhabited and developed, even as their immediate surroundings changed.

The study of these ancient cities and the modern cities built on their remnants continues to provide valuable insights into human history, urban development, and the complex tapestry of human habitation across time.