The First Towns: Seedbeds Of Civilization - The Origins Of Civilizations

By about 7000 B.C., techniques of agricultural production in the Middle East had reached a level at which it was possible to support thousands of people, many of whom were not engaged in agriculture, in densely populated settlements. Two of the earliest of these settlements were at Jericho in what is today the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and at Catal Huyuk in present-day southern Turkey. With populations of about 2000 and from 4000 to 6000 people respectively, Jericho and …

…faces north in the UK, it never has the sun shining directly on it. Shelter from the weather, especially in winter was essential. Building a settlement in a valley provided a way to keep out of harsh winds. Today, a consideration of aspect is made as a routine part of most settlement planning. The Byker Redevelopment in Newcastle was partly redesigned with geographical aspect in mind. Click here to see how this settlement used aspect.