Cities: The First 6,000 Years

Archaeologist and anthropologist Smith traces the cultural phenomenon of cities through time in this enjoyable, humorous combination of archeological findings, historical documents, and present-day experiences. She argues that city life has been remarkably consistent across millennia—proximity to strangers, big public squares and winding residential streets, housing shortages, landfills, markets, and graffiti were as much a part of ancient city life as of modern. (This leads to an odd dismissiveness about problems such as subpar housing conditions and environmental damage caused by urban living, which may put off some readers.) She also compares cities to that other ubiquitous, complex structure that sprang into existence and quickly became essential: the internet. She outlines the cultural precursors to the conception of cities (language, a history of migration, dependence on objects, and a drive to build architecture); explains the excavation of ancient cities; describes how the efficiencies of city life led to the development of a proto–middle class; notes the development cities pushed in water, waste, and land management; and argues that, despite worries about collapse, cities are here to stay. Smith writes conversationally and supplies charming details, such as the ancient Mesopotamian belief in Shulak, a disease-spreading toilet demon. For readers who don’t mind a detached view of urban problems, this is a thoroughly enjoyable excavation. [em]Agent: Max Brockman, Brockman Inc. (Apr.) [/em]