Dense urbanism and economic multi-centrism at third-millennium BC Lagash
Augusta McMahon, Holly Pittman, Zaid al-Rawi, D.E.T.F. Ashby, Katherine Burge, Reed Goodman, Emily Hammer, Sara Pizzimenti
Abstract
Studies of ancient Mesopotamian cities have long focused on their institutions. Here, instead, the authors draw on recent investigations at the third-millennium BC site of Lagash (modern Tell al-Hiba, Iraq) to explore urban density, economy and sustainability at one of the largest ancient urban centres of the region. Drawing on excavation, environmental and remote-sensing data, the authors adopt a multi-scalar approach, revealing dense urban occupation, with subdivision into distinct walled quarters, as well as evidence for multiple foci of intensive industrial production and the exploitation of a rich mosaic of surrounding micro-environments. The study emphasises how a combination of new field data and alternative research directions offers novel insights into early urbanism.