Recent archaeological developments are turning our understanding of early urbanization on its head. Massive planned settlements in Ukraine, dating back to 4000 BCE, challenge the long-held belief that the first cities emerged in Mesopotamia, present-day Iraq, and surrounding regions. These discoveries reveal the sophistication of early human societies in a way previously unimagined.
Known as ‘Megasites’, these settlements from the Cucuteni-Trypillia culture predate the cities of Mesopotamia by centuries. The Cucuteni-Trypillia culture is noted for its distinctive pottery and expansive influence, stretching across present-day Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania. New evidence shows that these settlements exhibited complex urban planning with houses arranged in concentric rings.
The discovery of these Megasites began in the 1960s when Soviet military topographer Konstantin Shishkin identified peculiar vegetation patterns in aerial photographs. The shadows caused by differences in plant growth hinted at human-made structures buried beneath the soil. Ukrainian scientists later confirmed these findings using geomagnetic surveys, revealing the layout of these early cities.
The Megasites ranged in size from 30 to 320 hectares, with some as large as the principality of Monaco. They were planned meticulously, with houses constructed from wood and clay, featuring modular designs akin to modern Lego constructions. These sophisticated settlements thrived for about 500 years before disappearing around 3600 BCE, possibly due to internal reasons rather than external conflicts.
Archaeologists are split on the social structure of these early urban centers. Some researchers, like Mykhailo Videiko from the University of Kyiv, argue for a hierarchical society with chieftains and religious temples. Others, including Johannes Müller from the University of Kiel, propose that these were egalitarian societies with communal decision-making. Another theory by John Chapman and Bisserka Gaydarska suggests that these Megasites were seasonal pilgrimage centers rather than permanent urban settlements.
The environmental impact of these Megasites is also a topic of debate. While some researchers believe the inhabitants practiced sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry, others argue that the deforestation required for such large settlements would have been extensive.
Crucially, these Ukrainian Megasites challenge the traditional definition of what constitutes a city. Unlike the early Mesopotamian city of Uruk, which had a ruling elite, monumental architecture, and an administrative system, the Trypillia settlements lacked these features. However, their size and planned layout suggest they were indeed early forms of urbanization.
The decline of these Megasites around 3600 BCE remains a mystery with no evidence of violence or invasion. The end of these settlements might be linked to the increasing complexity of their societies, which perhaps outgrew their administrative capabilities.
As research continues, the Trypillia Megasites promise to erase longstanding misconceptions about the origins of urban life. These discoveries are rewriting history, highlighting the complexity and diversity of early human societies in ways we are just beginning to understand.