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Book Synopsis: Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR and Science Friday A quest to explore some of the most spectacular ancient cities in human history―and figure out why people abandoned them.
In Four Lost Cities, acclaimed science journalist Annalee Newitz takes readers on an entertaining and mind-bending adventure into the deep history of urban life. Investigating across the centuries and around the world, Newitz explores the rise and fall of four ancient cities, each the center of a sophisticated civilization: the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük in Central Turkey, the Roman vacation town of Pompeii on Italy’s southern coast, the medieval megacity of Angkor in Cambodia, and the indigenous metropolis Cahokia, which stood beside the Mississippi River where East St. Louis is today.
Newitz travels to all four sites and investigates the cutting-edge research in archaeology, revealing the mix of environmental changes and political turmoil that doomed these ancient settlements. Tracing the early development of urban planning, Newitz also introduces us to the often anonymous workers―slaves, women, immigrants, and manual laborers―who built these cities and created monuments that lasted millennia.
Four Lost Cities is a journey into the forgotten past, but, foreseeing a future in which the majority of people on Earth will be living in cities, it may also reveal something of our own fate.
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Discover the mysteries of the ancient world with Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age. Delve into the captivating stories of four mesmerizing cities - Çatalhöyük, Pompeii, Angkor, and Cahokia - and unravel the enigmas behind their rise and fall. Through this enthralling journey, renowned science journalist Annalee Newitz unveils the secrets behind these civilizations and the intriguing factors that led to their ultimate demise.
Unearth the secrets hidden within the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, the Roman vacation haven of Pompeii, the medieval marvel of Angkor, and the indigenous metropolis of Cahokia. As you traverse through time and explore these remarkable cities, you'll gain invaluable insights into the complex interplay of politics, environmental changes, and societal structures that shaped their destinies.
Immerse yourself in the cutting-edge research in archaeology as Newitz takes you on an adventure spanning centuries and continents. Delighting both history buffs and curious minds, Four Lost Cities is a breathtaking exploration of how cities have flourished and faded throughout the ages.
Witness the ingenuity and determination of the often overlooked workers - from slaves and women to immigrants and manual laborers - who toiled to construct these grand urban landscapes. Marvel at the monuments they erected, enduring the test of time to tell their stories for millennia.
As urbanization continues to shape our world, Four Lost Cities serves as a powerful reminder of the potential fate that awaits our own civilization. Gain a deeper understanding of our past, learn lessons from our ancestors, and contemplate our future as you embark on this captivating journey into the forgotten recesses of history.
Embark on a fascinating adventure and seize this opportunity to explore Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age. Experience the thrill of unearthing the secrets of the past and understanding our own place in the urban landscape. Don't miss out - order your copy now and let the adventure begin.
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