For most passers-by I would recommend skipping down to the new millennium to see my figures for 2009. Note: cannot be done because this page is in progress
Methods of interpolation
For most unsourced numbers (in italics), the numbers are interpolated "linear-style," meaning that the numbers are as they would be if the population increased by the same number of people each year, meaning the population graph would go in a line. However, some of the unsourced numbers (also in italics, but with a note) are interpolated "exponential-style," meaning that the numbers are as they would be if the population increased by the same fraction of itself each year, meaning the population graph would go in a steady curve. I would like to use this exponential curve method all the time (because it makes more sense), but I can't use it if I want to start from zero.
Neolithic
Early Neolithic (9000-7000 BCE)
Later Neolithic (7000-6000 BCE)
City |
Modern location |
-7000 |
-6900 |
-6800 |
-6700 |
-6600 |
-6500 |
-6400 |
-6300 |
-6200 |
-6100 |
-6000
|
'Ain Ghazal |
Jordan |
3,000[2] |
3,000 |
3,000 |
3,000 |
3,000 |
3,000 |
500[2] |
464 |
429 |
393 |
357
|
Çatalhöyük |
Turkey |
7,000[4] |
6,462 |
5,923 |
5,385 |
4,846 |
4,308 |
3,769 |
3,231 |
2,692 |
2,154 |
1,615
|
Knossos |
Greece |
0 (founded[6]) |
127 |
255 |
382 |
510 |
637 |
765 |
892 |
1,020 |
1,147 |
1,275
|
Copper Age (6000-4000 BCE)
6th millennium BCE
City |
Modern location |
-6000 |
-5900 |
-5800 |
-5700 |
-5600 |
-5500 |
-5400 |
-5300 |
-5200 |
-5100 |
-5000
|
'Ain Ghazal |
Jordan |
357 |
321 |
286 |
250 |
214 |
179 |
143 |
107 |
71 |
36 |
0 (habitation ended[1])
|
Çatalhöyük |
Turkey |
1,615 |
1,077 |
538 |
0 (habitation ended[3]) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eridu |
Iraq |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 (founded[7]) |
471 |
941 |
1,412 |
1,882
|
Knossos |
Greece |
1,275 |
1,402 |
1,529 |
1,657 |
1,784 |
1,912 |
2,039 |
2,167 |
2,294 |
2,422 |
2,549
|
Nagar (aka Tell Brak) |
Syria |
0 (founded[8]) |
759 |
1,517 |
2,276 |
3,034 |
3,793 |
4,552 |
5,310 |
6,069 |
6,828 |
7,586
|
5th millennium BCE
City |
Modern location |
-5000 |
-4900 |
-4800 |
-4700 |
-4600 |
-4500 |
-4400 |
-4300 |
-4200 |
-4100
|
Dobrovody |
Ukraine |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0[9] |
2,500
|
Eridu |
Iraq |
1,882 |
2,353 |
2,824 |
3,294 |
3,765 |
4,235 |
4,706 |
5,176 |
5,647 |
6,118
|
Knossos |
Greece |
2,549 |
2,676 |
2,804 |
2,931 |
3,059 |
3,187 |
3,314 |
3,441 |
3,569 |
3,696
|
Maydanets |
Ukraine |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0[9] |
2,000
|
Nagar |
Syria |
7,586 |
8,345 |
9,103 |
9,862 |
10,621 |
11,379 |
12,138 |
12,897 |
13,655 |
14,414
|
Nekhen |
Egypt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 (founded[10]) |
750 |
1,500 |
2,250
|
Susa |
Iran |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 (founded[11]) |
1,136
|
Talianki |
Ukraine |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0[9] |
3,000
|
Tell Brak see Nagar |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tell Leilan |
Syria |
0 (founded[12]) |
800 |
1,600 |
2,400 |
3,200 |
4,000 |
4,800 |
5,600 |
6,400 |
7,200
|
Uruk |
Iraq |
0 (founded[13]) |
1,077 |
2,154 |
3,231 |
4,308 |
5,385 |
6,462 |
7,538 |
8,615 |
9,692
|
Bronze Age
Early Bronze
4th millennium BCE
City |
Modern location |
-4000 |
-3900 |
-3800 |
-3700 |
-3600 |
-3500 |
-3400 |
-3300 |
-3200 |
-3100
|
Anshan |
Iran |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000[4]
|
Dobrovody |
Ukraine |
5,000 |
7,500 |
10,000[14] |
9,048 |
8,095 |
7,143 |
6,190 |
5,238 |
4,286 |
3,333
|
Eridu |
Iraq |
6,588 |
7,059 |
7,529 |
8,000[15] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harappa |
Pakistan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0[16] |
5,000 |
10,000
|
Heliopolis |
Egypt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0[17]
|
Knossos |
Greece |
3,824 |
3,951 |
4,078 |
4,206 |
4,333 |
4,461 |
4,588 |
4,716 |
4,843 |
4,971
|
Larak/Larsa |
Iraq |
|
|
|
10,000[4] |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000[4] |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000
|
Maydanets |
Ukraine |
4,000 |
6,000 |
8,000 |
10,000[14] |
8,947 |
7,895 |
6,842 |
5,789 |
4,737 |
3,684
|
Memphis |
Egypt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000[18]
|
Nagar |
Syria |
15,172 |
15,931 |
16,690 |
17,448 |
18,207 |
18,966 |
19,724 |
20,483 |
21,241 |
22,000[4]
|
Nekhen |
Egypt |
3,000 |
3,750 |
4,500 |
5,250 |
6,000 |
6,750 |
7,500[19] |
8,250 |
9,000 |
9,750
|
Shahr-i Sokhta |
Iran |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 (founded[20]) |
20,000[4]
|
Susa |
Iran |
2,273 |
3,409 |
4,545 |
5,682 |
6,818 |
7,955 |
9,091 |
10,227 |
11,364 |
12,500
|
Talianki |
Ukraine |
6,000 |
9,000 |
12,000 |
15,000[14] |
13,421 |
11,842 |
10,263 |
8,684 |
7,105 |
5,526
|
Tell Brak see Nagar |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tell Leilan |
Syria |
8,000 |
8,800 |
9,600 |
10,400 |
11,200 |
12,000 |
12,800 |
13,600 |
14,400 |
15,200
|
Thebes |
Egypt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 (founded[21]) |
3,333
|
Uruk |
Iraq |
10,769 |
11,846 |
12,923 |
14,000[4] |
16,000 |
18,000 |
20,000[4] |
28,333 |
36,667 |
45,000[22]
|
Early 3rd millenium BCE
City |
Modern location |
-3000 |
-2950 |
-2900 |
-2850 |
-2800 |
-2750 |
-2700 |
-2650 |
-2600 |
-2550
|
Adab |
Iraq |
|
|
0[23] |
5,500 |
11,000[4] |
11,333 |
11,667 |
12,000 |
12,333 |
12,667
|
Anshan |
Iran |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000[4] |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000
|
Bad-tibira |
Iraq |
|
|
|
|
16,000[4] |
|
|
|
|
|
Dobrovody |
Ukraine |
2,381 |
1,905 |
1,429 |
952 |
476 |
0[9] |
|
|
|
|
Ebla |
Syria |
0[24] |
2,143 |
4,286 |
6,429 |
8,571 |
10,714 |
12,857 |
15,000 |
17,143 |
19,286
|
Harappa |
Pakistan |
15,000 |
17,500 |
20,000 |
22,500 |
25,000 |
27,500 |
30,000 |
32,500 |
35,000[4] |
30,833
|
Heliopolis |
Egypt |
3,000 |
4,500 |
6,000 |
7,500 |
9,000 |
10,500 |
12,000 |
13,500 |
15,000 |
16,500
|
Jerusalem |
Israel |
|
|
|
|
0 (founded[25]) |
1,111 |
2,222 |
3,333 |
4,444 |
5,556
|
Kerma |
Sudan |
0[26] |
1,042 |
2,083 |
3,125 |
4,167 |
5,208 |
6,250 |
7,292 |
8,333 |
9,375
|
Kish |
Iraq |
0[27] |
10,000 |
20,000 |
30,000 |
40,000[4] |
37,500 |
35,000 |
32,500 |
30,000 |
27,500
|
Knossos |
Greece |
5,098 |
5,162 |
5,225 |
5,289 |
5,353 |
5,417 |
5,480 |
5,544 |
5,608 |
5,672
|
Lagash |
Iraq |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,000[4] |
40,000
|
Larsa |
Iraq |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000
|
Maydanets |
Ukraine |
2,632 |
2,105 |
1,579 |
1,053 |
526 |
0[9] |
|
|
|
|
Memphis |
Egypt |
30,577[18] |
30,866[18] |
31,154[18] |
31,443[18] |
31,731[18] |
32,019[18] |
32,308[18] |
32,596[18] |
32,885[18] |
33,173[18]
|
Mohenjo-daro |
Pakistan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41,250[4] |
30,625
|
Nagar |
Syria |
21,333 |
21,000 |
20,667 |
20,333 |
20,000[4] |
19,167 |
18,333 |
17,500 |
16,667 |
15,833
|
Nekhen |
Egypt |
10,500 |
10,875 |
11,250 |
11,625 |
12,000 |
12,375 |
12,750 |
13,125 |
13,500 |
13,875
|
Nippur |
Iraq |
|
|
|
|
13,000[4] |
14,167 |
15,333 |
16,500 |
17,667 |
18,833
|
Shahr-i Sokhta |
Iran |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000
|
Shuruppak |
Iraq |
0 (existed by[28]) |
5,000 |
10,000 |
15,000 |
20,000[4] |
19,500 |
19,000 |
18,500 |
18,000 |
17,500
|
Susa |
Iran |
13,636 |
14,205 |
14,773 |
15,341 |
15,909 |
16,477 |
17,045 |
17,614 |
18,182 |
18,750
|
Talianki |
Ukraine |
3,947 |
3,158 |
2,368 |
1,579 |
789 |
0[9] |
|
|
|
|
Tell Brak see Nagar |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tell Leilan |
Syria |
16,000 |
16,400 |
16,800 |
17,200 |
17,600 |
18,000 |
18,400 |
18,800 |
19,200 |
19,600
|
Thebes |
Egypt |
6,667 |
8,333 |
10,000 |
11,667 |
13,333 |
15,000 |
16,667 |
18,333 |
20,000 |
21,667
|
Umma |
Iraq |
|
|
|
|
26,000[4] |
27,333 |
28,667 |
30,000 |
31,333 |
32,667
|
Uruk |
Iraq |
56,667 |
62,500 |
68,333 |
74,167 |
80,000[4] |
80,000 |
80,000 |
80,000 |
80,000[4] |
65,000
|
Zabala |
Iraq |
0[29] |
714 |
1,429 |
2,143 |
2,857 |
3,571 |
4,286 |
5,000 |
5,714 |
6,429
|
Later 3rd millenium BCE
City |
Modern location |
-2500 |
-2450 |
-2400 |
-2350 |
-2300 |
-2250 |
-2200 |
-2150 |
-2100 |
-2050
|
Adab |
Iraq |
13,000[4] |
12,250 |
11,500 |
10,750 |
10,000[4] |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000
|
Akkad |
Iraq |
|
|
|
|
36,000[4] |
|
|
|
|
|
Anshan |
Iran |
10,000[4] |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000[4] |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000
|
Athens |
Greece |
0 (founded[30]) |
3,744 |
7,488 |
11,232 |
14,976 |
18,720 |
22,464 |
26,208 |
29,952 |
33,696
|
Babylon |
Iraq |
|
|
|
|
0[31] |
4,286 |
8,571 |
12,857 |
17,143 |
21,429
|
Ebla |
Iraq |
21,429 |
23,571 |
25,714 |
27,857 |
30,000[4] |
32,143 |
0[24] |
|
|
|
Erlitou |
China |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0[32] |
5,833
|
Harappa |
Pakistan |
26,667 |
22,500 |
18,333 |
14,167 |
10,000[4] |
9,500 |
9,000 |
8,500 |
8,000 |
7,500
|
Heliopolis |
Egypt |
18,000 |
19,500 |
21,000 |
22,500 |
24,000 |
25,500 |
27,000 |
28,500 |
30,000 |
31,500
|
Herakleopolis Magna |
Egypt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,816[33] |
4,842 |
7,868
|
Jerusalem |
Israel |
6,667 |
7,778 |
8,889 |
10,000 |
11,111 |
12,222 |
13,333 |
14,444 |
15,556 |
16,667
|
Kerma |
Sudan |
10,417 |
11,458 |
12,500 |
13,542 |
14,583 |
15,625 |
16,667 |
17,708 |
18,750 |
19,792
|
Kesh |
Iraq |
11,000[4] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kish |
Iraq |
25,000[4] |
21,250 |
17,500 |
13,750 |
10,000[4] |
15,000 |
20,000 |
25,000 |
30,000 |
35,000
|
Knossos |
Greece |
5,735 |
5,799 |
5,863 |
5,926 |
5,990 |
6,054 |
6,118 |
6,181 |
6,245 |
6,309
|
Lagash |
Iraq |
40,000[4] |
32,500 |
25,000 |
17,500 |
10,000[4] |
13,917 |
17,833 |
21,750 |
25,667 |
29,583
|
Larsa |
Iraq |
10,000[4] |
13,000 |
16,000 |
19,000 |
22,000 |
25,000 |
28,000 |
31,000 |
34,000 |
37,000
|
Mari |
Syria |
|
|
|
|
0[34] |
4,000 |
8,000 |
12,000 |
16,000 |
20,000
|
Memphis |
Egypt |
33,462[18] |
33,750[18] |
34,039[18] |
34,327[18] |
34,616[18] |
37,404[18] |
40,193[18] |
42,981[18] |
45,769[18] |
48,558[18]
|
Mohenjo-daro |
Pakistan |
20,000[4] |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000[4] |
18,333 |
16,667 |
15,000 |
13,333 |
11,667
|
Nagar |
Syria |
15,000[4] |
15,000 |
15,000 |
15,000 |
15,000[4] |
14,318 |
13,636 |
12,955 |
12,273 |
11,591
|
Namazgadepe |
Turkmenistan |
0[35]) |
3,500 |
7,000 |
10,500 |
14,000[4] |
14,000 |
14,000 |
14,000 |
14,000 |
14,000
|
Nekhen |
Egypt |
14,250 |
14,625 |
15,000 |
15,375 |
15,750 |
16,125 |
16,500 |
16,875 |
17,250 |
17,625
|
Nippur |
Iraq |
20,000[4] |
17,500 |
15,000 |
12,500 |
10,000[4] |
11,000 |
12,000 |
13,000 |
14,000 |
15,000
|
Shahr-i Sokhta |
Iran |
20,000[4] |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000[4] |
15,000 |
10,000 |
5,000 |
0 (abandoned[20]) |
|
Shangqiu |
China |
0 (founded[36]) |
700 |
1,400 |
2,100 |
2,800 |
3,500 |
4,200 |
4,900 |
5,600 |
6,300
|
Shuruppak |
Iraq |
17,000[4] |
15,300 |
13,600 |
11,900 |
10,200 |
8,500 |
6,800 |
5,100 |
3,400 |
1,700
|
Susa |
Iran |
19,318 |
19,886 |
20,455 |
21,023 |
21,591 |
22,159 |
22,727 |
23,295 |
23,864 |
24,432
|
Tell Brak see Nagar |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tell Leilan |
Syria |
20,000[4] |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000[4] |
10,000 |
0 (abandoned[12]) |
|
|
|
Thebes |
Egypt |
23,333 |
25,000 |
26,667 |
28,333 |
30,000 |
31,667 |
33,333 |
35,000 |
36,667 |
38,333
|
Umma |
Iraq |
34,000[4] |
30,500 |
27,000 |
23,500 |
20,000[4] |
18,333 |
16,667 |
15,000 |
13,333 |
11,667
|
Uruk |
Iraq |
50,000[4] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zabala |
Iraq |
7,143 |
7,857 |
8,571 |
9,286 |
10,000[4] |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000
|
Middle and Late Bronze
Early 2nd millennium BCE
City |
Modern location |
-2000 |
-1950 |
-1900 |
-1850 |
-1800 |
-1750 |
-1700 |
-1650 |
-1600 |
-1550
|
Adab |
Iraq |
10,000[4] |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000[4] |
|
|
|
|
|
Anshan |
Iran |
10,000[4] |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000[4] |
|
|
|
|
|
Athens |
Greece |
37,440 |
41,184 |
44,928 |
48,671 |
52,415 |
56,159 |
59,903 |
63,647 |
67,391 |
71,135
|
Avaris |
Egypt |
|
|
|
|
|
18,033[37] |
45,355 |
72,678 |
100,000[4] |
107,500
|
Babylon |
Iraq |
25,714 |
30,000 |
34,286 |
38,571 |
42,857 |
47,143 |
51,429 |
55,714 |
60,000[4] |
58,750
|
Erlitou |
China |
11,667 |
17,500 |
23,333 |
29,167 |
35,000[4] |
29,167 |
23,333 |
17,500 |
11,667 |
5,833
|
Harappa |
Pakistan |
7,000 |
6,500 |
6,000 |
5,500 |
5,000 |
4,500 |
4,000 |
3,500 |
3,000 |
2,500
|
Hattusa |
Turkey |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
37,000[4] |
38,667
|
Hazor |
Israel |
|
|
|
|
0 (first mentioned[38]) |
6,000 |
12,000 |
18,000 |
24,000 |
|
Heliopolis |
Egypt |
33,000 |
34,500 |
36,000 |
37,500 |
39,000[4] |
|
|
|
|
|
Herakleopolis Magna |
Egypt |
10,895 |
13,921 |
16,947 |
19,974 |
23,000[4] |
|
|
|
|
|
Isin |
Iraq |
40,000[4] |
39,750 |
39,500 |
39,250 |
39,000[39] |
11,143[40] |
|
|
|
|
Jerusalem |
Israel |
17,778 |
18,889 |
20,000 |
21,111 |
22,222 |
23,333 |
24,444 |
25,556 |
26,667 |
27,778
|
Kerma |
Sudan |
20,833 |
21,875 |
22,917 |
23,958 |
25,000[4] |
24,250 |
23,500 |
22,750 |
22,000[4] |
|
Kish |
Iraq |
40,000[4] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Knossos |
Greece |
6,373 |
6,436 |
6,500[41] |
22,083 |
37,667 |
53,250 |
68,833 |
84,417 |
100,000[4] |
87,500
|
Lagash |
Iraq |
33,500[42] |
27,625 |
21,750 |
15,875 |
10,000[4] |
|
|
|
|
|
Larsa |
Iraq |
40,000[4] |
35,000 |
30,000 |
25,000 |
20,000[4] |
12,063 |
4,127[43] |
|
|
|
Mari |
Syria |
24,000[4] |
31,000 |
38,000 |
45,000 |
52,000[4] |
0[34] |
|
|
|
|
Memphis |
Egypt |
51,346[18] |
47,885[18] |
44,423[18] |
40,962[18] |
37,500[18] |
36,813[18] |
36,125[18] |
35,438[18] |
34,750[18] |
37,979[18]
|
Mohenjo-daro |
Pakistan |
10,000[4] |
12,500 |
15,000 |
17,500 |
20,000[4] |
|
|
|
|
|
Nagar |
Syria |
10,909 |
10,227 |
9,545 |
8,864 |
8,182 |
7,500 |
6,818 |
6,136 |
5,455 |
4,773
|
Namazgadepe |
Turkmenistan |
14,000[4] |
13,300 |
12,600 |
11,900 |
11,200 |
10,500 |
9,800 |
9,100 |
8,400 |
7,700
|
Nekhen |
Egypt |
18,000 |
18,375 |
18,750 |
19,125 |
19,500 |
19,875 |
20,250 |
20,625 |
21,000[4] |
|
Nineveh |
Iraq |
|
|
|
|
0 (first mentioned[44]) |
5,750 |
11,500 |
17,250 |
23,000[4] |
24,250
|
Nippur |
Iraq |
16,000[45] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shangqiu |
China |
7,000 |
7,700 |
8,400 |
9,100 |
9,800 |
10,500 |
11,200 |
11,900 |
12,600 |
13,300
|
Shuruppak |
Iraq |
0 (abandoned[28]) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Susa |
Iran |
25,000[4] |
25,875 |
26,750 |
27,625 |
28,500[46] |
27,625 |
26,750 |
25,875 |
25,000[4] |
|
Tell Brak see Nagar |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thebes |
Egypt |
40,000[4] |
43,125[47] |
46,250[47] |
49,375[47] |
52,500[47] |
55,853[47] |
59,205[47] |
62,557[47] |
65,909[47] |
69,262[47]
|
Umma |
Iraq |
10,000[4] |
12,500 |
15,000 |
17,500 |
20,000[4] |
|
|
|
|
|
Zabala |
Iraq |
10,000[4] |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000[4] |
|
|
|
|
|
Later 2nd millennium BCE
City |
Modern location |
-1500 |
-1450 |
-1400 |
-1350 |
-1300 |
-1250 |
-1200 |
-1150 |
-1100 |
-1050
|
Amarna |
Egypt |
|
|
|
30,000[48] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Athens |
Greece |
74,879 |
78,623 |
82,367 |
86,111 |
89,855 |
93,599 |
97,343 |
101,087 |
104,831 |
108,575
|
Avaris |
Egypt |
115,000 |
122,500 |
130,000 |
137,500 |
145,000 |
152,500 |
160,000[4] |
45,714[37] |
|
|
Babylon |
Iraq |
57,500 |
56,250 |
55,000 |
53,750 |
52,500 |
51,250 |
50,000[4] |
55,625 |
61,250 |
66,875
|
Dur-Kurigalzu |
Iraq |
|
|
|
40,000[49] |
40,000 |
40,000 |
40,000[4] |
|
|
|
Erlitou |
China |
0[32] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harappa |
Pakistan |
2,000 |
1,500 |
1,000 |
500 |
0[50] |
|
|
|
|
|
Hattusa |
Turkey |
40,333 |
42,000 |
43,667 |
45,188[51] |
46,125 |
47,063 |
48,000[4] |
|
|
|
Jerusalem |
Israel |
28,889 |
30,000 |
31,111 |
32,222 |
33,333 |
34,444 |
35,556 |
36,667 |
37,778 |
38,889
|
Knossos |
Greece |
75,000 |
62,500 |
50,000 |
37,500 |
25,000 |
12,500 |
0[52] |
|
|
|
Marib |
Yemen |
0[53] |
2,647 |
5,294 |
7,941 |
10,588 |
13,235 |
15,882 |
18,529 |
21,176 |
23,824
|
Memphis |
Egypt |
41,209[18] |
44,438[18] |
47,667[18] |
51,250[18] |
56,250[18] |
61,250[18] |
66,250[18] |
66,563[18] |
66,875[18] |
67,188[18]
|
Nagar |
Syria |
4,091 |
3,409 |
2,727 |
2,045 |
1,364 |
682 |
0 (occupation ended[8]) |
|
|
|
Namazgadepe |
Turkmenistan |
7,000 |
6,300 |
5,600 |
4,900 |
4,200 |
3,500 |
2,800 |
2,100 |
1,400 |
700
|
Nimrud |
Iraq |
|
|
|
|
|
0[54] |
5,556 |
11,111 |
16,667 |
22,222
|
Nineveh |
Iraq |
25,500 |
26,750 |
28,000 |
29,250 |
30,500 |
31,750 |
33,000[4] |
|
|
|
Shangqiu |
China |
14,000 |
14,700 |
15,400 |
16,100 |
16,800 |
17,500 |
18,200 |
18,900 |
19,600 |
20,300
|
Tell Brak see Nagar |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thebes |
Egypt |
72,614[47] |
75,966[47] |
79,318[47] |
81,157[47] |
76,938[47] |
72,719[47] |
68,500[47] |
73,875[47] |
79,250[47] |
84,625[47]
|
Yinxu |
China |
|
|
|
0[55] |
40,000 |
80,000 |
120,000[4] |
80,000 |
40,000 |
0[55]
|
Iron Age
City |
Modern location
|
-1000
|
-950
|
-900
|
-850
|
-800
|
-750
|
-700
|
-650
|
-600
|
-550
|
Athens |
Greece
|
112,319
|
116,063
|
119,807
|
123,551
|
127,295
|
131,039
|
134,783
|
138,527
|
142,271
|
146,014
|
Ayodhya |
India
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,000[4]
|
|
|
Babylon |
Iraq
|
72,500[56]
|
66,125
|
59,750
|
53,375
|
47,000[4]
|
51,333
|
55,667
|
60,000[4]
|
91,818
|
123,636
|
Cuicuilco |
Mexico
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 (founded[57])
|
5,741
|
11,481
|
17,222
|
Ecbatana |
Iran
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 (founded[58])
|
20,455
|
40,909
|
Haoqing |
China
|
77,500[59]
|
83,750[60]
|
90,000[60]
|
90,000[60]
|
90,000[60]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hastinapur |
India
|
30,000[4]
|
33,000
|
36,000
|
39,000
|
42,000[4]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerusalem |
Israel
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kosambi |
India
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,000[4]
|
|
|
Linzi |
China
|
|
|
|
5,660[61]
|
37,107
|
68,553
|
100,000[4]
|
|
|
|
Luoyang |
China
|
77,500[62]
|
76,875[63]
|
76,250[63]
|
75,625[63]
|
75,000[63]
|
78,333[63]
|
81,667[63]
|
85,000[63]
|
88,409[63]
|
116,818[63]
|
Marib |
Yemen
|
26,471
|
29,118
|
31,765
|
34,412
|
37,059
|
39,706
|
42,353
|
45,000[4]
|
|
|
Namazgadepe |
Turkmenistan
|
0[35]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nimrud |
Iraq
|
27,778
|
33,333
|
38,889
|
44,444
|
50,000[4]
|
36,702
|
23,404
|
10,106[54]
|
|
|
Panticapaeum |
Ukraine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 (founded[64])
|
9,706
|
Shangqiu |
China
|
21,000[65]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Varanasi |
India
|
0[66]
|
4,737
|
9,474
|
14,211
|
18,947
|
23,684
|
28,421
|
33,158
|
37,895
|
42,632
|
City |
Modern location
|
-500
|
-450
|
-430
|
-400
|
-350
|
-300
|
-250
|
-200
|
-150
|
-100
|
-50
|
Anuradhapura |
Sri Lanka
|
|
|
48,000[4]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyi |
China
|
100,000[4]
|
100,000
|
100,000
|
100,000[4]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Athens |
Greece
|
149,758
|
153,502
|
155,000[4]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Babylon |
Iraq
|
155,455
|
187,273
|
200,000[4]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cuicuilco |
Mexico
|
22,963
|
28,704
|
31,000[4]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ecbatana |
Iran
|
61,364
|
81,818
|
90,000[4]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Luoyang |
China
|
145,227[63]
|
148,636[63]
|
150,000[63]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Panticapaeum |
Ukraine
|
19,412
|
29,118
|
33,000[4]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Varanasi |
India
|
47,368
|
52,105
|
54,000[4]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My to do list
- Finish Historical urban up to 1500 AT LEAST.
- Anshan was occupied until at least 550 BCE.
- Hazor until 732 BCE.
- Kerma until 664 BCE (reference tablet)
- Eridu until 600 BCE.
- Nippur until 250 CE.
- Babylon until 650 CE.
- Memphis until 641 CE.
- Uruk until 700 CE.
- Get numbers for modern cities (World Gazetteer)
- Finish Jericho
Notes and references
Tables
The reason these tables are here is to represent the math involved in the creation of averages for different sources.
Linzi
Source |
-700 |
-650 |
-600 |
-550 |
-500 |
-450 |
-430 |
-400
|
Chandler |
100,000 |
80,000[4] |
75,455 |
70,909 |
66,364 |
61,818 |
60,000[4] |
200,000
|
Modelski |
100,000[4] |
100,000[4] |
100,000[4] |
100,000 |
100,000[4] |
171,429 |
200,000[4] |
200,000[4]
|
Average |
100,000 |
90,000 |
87,727 |
85,455 |
83,182 |
116,624 |
130,000 |
200,000
|
Luoyang
Source |
-1000 |
-950 |
-900 |
-850 |
-800 |
-750 |
-700
|
Chandler |
55,000[4] |
53,750 |
52,500 |
51,250 |
50,000[4] |
56,667 |
63,333
|
Modelski |
100,000[4] |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000[4]
|
Average |
77,500 |
76,875 |
76,250 |
75,625 |
75,000 |
78,333 |
81,667
|
Source |
-650 |
-600 |
-550 |
-500 |
-450 |
-430 |
-400
|
Chandler |
70,000[4] |
76,818 |
83,636 |
90,455 |
97,273 |
100,000[4] |
|
Modelski |
100,000[4] |
100,000[4] |
150,000 |
200,000[4] |
200,000 |
200,000[4] |
240,000[4]
|
Average |
85,000 |
88,409 |
116,818 |
145,227 |
148,636 |
150,000 |
|
Memphis
Source |
-3100 |
-3000 |
-2950 |
-2900 |
-2850 |
-2800
|
Chandler |
30,000[4] |
31,154 |
31,731 |
32,308 |
32,885 |
33,462
|
Modelski |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000
|
Average |
30,000 |
30,577 |
30,866 |
31,154 |
31,443 |
31,731
|
Source |
-2750 |
-2700 |
-2650 |
-2600 |
-2550 |
-2500
|
Chandler |
34,038 |
34,615 |
35,192 |
35,769 |
36,346 |
36,923
|
Modelski |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000
|
Average |
32,019 |
32,308 |
32,596 |
32,885 |
33,173 |
33,462
|
Source |
-2450 |
-2400 |
-2350 |
-2300 |
-2250 |
-2200
|
Chandler |
37,500 |
38,077 |
38,654 |
39,231 |
39,808 |
40,385
|
Modelski |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000 |
30,000[4] |
35,000 |
40,000
|
Average |
33,750 |
34,039 |
34,327 |
34,616 |
37,404 |
40,193
|
Source |
-2150 |
-2100 |
-2050 |
-2000 |
-1950 |
-1900
|
Chandler |
40,962 |
41,538 |
42,115 |
42,692 |
43,269 |
43,846
|
Modelski |
45,000 |
50,000 |
55,000 |
60,000[4] |
52,500 |
45,000
|
Average |
42,981 |
45,769 |
48,558 |
51,346 |
47,885 |
44,423
|
Source |
-1850 |
-1800 |
-1750 |
-1700 |
-1650 |
-1600
|
Chandler |
44,423 |
45,000[4] |
39,250 |
33,500 |
27,750 |
22,000[4]
|
Modelski |
37,500 |
30,000[4] |
34,375 |
38,750 |
43,125 |
47,500
|
Average |
40,962 |
37,500 |
36,813 |
36,125 |
35,438 |
34,750
|
Source |
-1550 |
-1500 |
-1450 |
-1400 |
-1360 |
-1350 |
-1300
|
Chandler |
24,083 |
26,167 |
28,250 |
30,333 |
32,000[4] |
33,125 |
38,750
|
Modelski |
51,875 |
56,250 |
60,625 |
65,000 |
|
69,375 |
73,750
|
Average |
37,979 |
41,209 |
44,438 |
47,667 |
|
51,250 |
56,250
|
Source |
-1250 |
-1200 |
-1150 |
-1100 |
-1050 |
-1000
|
Chandler |
44,375 |
50,000[4] |
46,250 |
42,500 |
38,750 |
35,000[4]
|
Modelski |
78,125 |
82,500 |
86,875 |
91,250 |
95,625 |
100,000[4]
|
Average |
61,250 |
66,250 |
66,563 |
66,875 |
67,188 |
67,500
|
Thebes
Source |
-2000 |
-1950 |
-1900 |
-1850 |
-1800 |
-1750
|
Chandler |
40,000 |
46,250 |
52,500 |
58,700 |
65,000[4] |
66,705
|
Modelski |
40,000[4] |
40,000 |
40,000 |
40,000 |
40,000[4] |
45,000
|
Average |
40,000 |
43,125 |
46,250 |
49,375 |
52,500 |
55,853
|
Source |
-1700 |
-1650 |
-1600 |
-1550 |
-1500 |
-1450
|
Chandler |
68,409 |
70,114 |
71,818 |
73,523 |
75,227 |
76,932
|
Modelski |
50,000 |
55,000 |
60,000 |
65,000 |
70,000 |
75,000
|
Average |
59,205 |
62,557 |
65,909 |
69,262 |
72,614 |
75,966
|
Source |
-1400 |
-1360 |
-1350 |
-1300 |
-1250 |
-1200 |
-1150
|
Chandler |
78,636 |
80,000[4] |
77,313 |
63,875 |
50,438 |
37,000[4] |
42,750
|
Modelski |
80,000 |
|
85,000 |
90,000 |
95,000 |
100,000 |
105,000
|
Average |
79,318 |
|
81,157 |
76,938 |
72,719 |
68,500 |
73,875
|
Source |
-1100 |
-1050 |
-1000 |
-950 |
-900 |
-850 |
-800
|
Chandler |
48,500 |
54,250 |
60,000[4] |
60,000 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
60,000[4]
|
Modelski |
110,000 |
115,000 |
120,000[4] |
105,000 |
90,000 |
75,000 |
60,000
|
Average |
79,250 |
84,625 |
90,000 |
82,500 |
75,000 |
67,500 |
60,000
|
Xi'an
Source |
-1000 |
-950 |
-900 |
-850 |
-800 |
-750 |
-700
|
Chandler |
55,000[4] |
55,000 |
55,000 |
55,000 |
55,000[4] |
47,667 |
40,333
|
Modelski |
100,000[4] |
112,500 |
125,000[4] |
125,000 |
125,000[4]
|
Average |
77,500 |
83,750 |
90,000 |
90,000 |
90,000
|
Source |
-650 |
-600 |
-550 |
-500 |
-450 |
-430 |
-400
|
Chandler
|
Modelski
|
Average
|
Source |
-350 |
-300 |
-250 |
-200 |
-150 |
-100 |
-50
|
Source |
1 |
50 |
100 |
150 |
200 |
250 |
300
|
Source |
350 |
361 |
400 |
450 |
500 |
550 |
600 |
622
|
Source |
650 |
700 |
750 |
775 |
800 |
850 |
900
|
Source |
950 |
1000 |
1050 |
1100 |
1150 |
1200 |
1250
|
Normal reflist
- ^ a b 'Ain Ghazal
- ^ a b c 'Ain Ghazal: In its prime time around 7000 BC, it extended over 10-15 hectares (25–37 ac) and was inhabited by ca. 3000 people (four to five times contemporary Jericho). After 6500 BC, however, the population dropped sharply to about one sixth within only a few generations, probably due to environmental degradation (Köhler-Rollefson 1992).
- ^ a b Çatalhöyük
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq dr ds dt du dv dw dx dy dz ea eb ec ed ee ef eg eh ei ej ek el em en eo ep eq er es et Historical urban community sizes
- ^ Jericho
- ^ Knossos
- ^ Eridu
- ^ a b Nagar, Syria
- ^ a b c d e f Zeroes based on Talianki: "Carbon dating places some of these cities at 4200-2750 BCE."
- ^ Nekhen
- ^ Susa
- ^ a b Tell Leilan -- "originated around 5000 BC"; "at around 2200 BC, a drought had occurred that was so severe that even earthworms had not survived"
- ^ Uruk
- ^ a b c Trypillian culture#Largest cities
- ^ Historical urban community sizes: average of 6,000 and 10,000
- ^ Harappa: "existed from about 3300 BCE"
- ^ Heliopolis (ancient): occupied since Predynastic Period
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao See table at #Memphis
- ^ Nekhen: "5,000 to 10,000 inhabitants"
- ^ a b Shahr-i Sokhta
- ^ http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk/egyptkarnak.htm
- ^ Historical urban community sizes gives 40,000 and 50,000.
- ^ Adab: "occupied from at least the Early Dynastic Period"
- ^ a b Ebla -- occupied since before -3000, destroyed c. -2240
- ^ List of cities by time of continuous habitation
- ^ Kerma: "Around 3000 BC a town grew up"
- ^ Kish: "occupied beginning in the Jemdet Nasr period"
- ^ a b Shuruppak
- ^ Zabala: "The first mentions of Zabala are in seals from the Jemdet Nasr Period"
- ^ History of Athens: "Athens has been continuously inhabited for over 4,500 years"
- ^ Babylon -- it "became the holy city of Babylonia" in 2300 BCE.
- ^ a b Erlitou culture gives period of 2100-1500 BCE.
- ^ Herakleopolis Magna was capital by -2180 so it must have been occupied by then.
- ^ a b Mari: first destroyed 24th c. BC, then at 1759 BC
- ^ a b Namazgadepe gives dates that show that the site was definitely inhabited from 2500 to 1000 BCE.
- ^ Shangqiu gives c. 25th century BC
- ^ a b Avaris: City was made capital, -1783, this is used as the beginning 0. Pi-Ramses stopped being a capital, -1130, this is used as the ending 0.
- ^ Tel Hazor
- ^ Historical urban community sizes: Average of 20,000 and 58,000.
- ^ Isin had to exist until at least 1730 BCE when Larsa took it over (I am using short chronology on this page.)
- ^ Knossos: 19th to 16th centuries BC, 5,000-8,000 people
- ^ Historical urban community sizes: average of 30,000 (Modelski) and 37,000 (Chandler).
- ^ Must have existed until at least -1674 (Larsa's last king's reign end)
- ^ Nineveh
- ^ Historical urban community sizes gives 10,000 and 22,000.
- ^ Historical urban community sizes gives 25,000 and 32,000.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s See table at #Thebes
- ^ Historical urban community sizes gives this number for -1360.
- ^ Historical urban community sizes gives 40,000 for -1360.
- ^ Cemetery H culture ends -1300.
- ^ Historical urban community sizes gives 45,000 in -1360.
- ^ End of Minoan civilization
- ^ Sabaeans states that the Sabaean Kingdom started in the early 2nd millennium BCE, so I placed my 0 at 1500.
- ^ a b The article Nimrud says the article was founded by Shalmaneser I, who reigned c. 1250 BCE. It also says that it was completely destroyed in 612 BCE.
- ^ a b Yinxu says the city was capital of China from 1350-1046 BC.
- ^ Historical urban community sizes gives 100,000 and 45,000.
- ^ Cuicuilco
- ^ The Ecbatana article states the city is supposed to have been founded by Deioces, King of Media, whose reign occurred in the first half of the 7th century BCE (according to the article on Deioces).
- ^ Historical urban community sizes gives 100,000 and 55,000.
- ^ a b c d See table at #Xi'an
- ^ Linzi: became capital in -859
- ^ Historical urban community sizes: average of 55,000 and 100,000
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l See table at #Luoyang
- ^ Panticapaeum: founded in the late 7th-early 6th century BCE
- ^ Historical urban community sizes (Kweiteh/Shangqiu)
- ^ Varanasi#History: "Varanasi is generally believed to be about 3,000 years old"