The archaeological study of neighborhoods and districts in ancient cities |
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Authors: | Michael E Smith |
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Institution: | School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Box 872402, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States |
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Abstract: | The spatial division of cities into residential zones is a universal feature of urban life from the earliest cities to the present. I propose a two-level classification of such zones that archaeologists can use to analyze preindustrial cities. Neighborhoods are small areas of intensive face-to-face social interaction, whereas districts are larger areas that serve as administrative units within cities. I review comparative historical data on neighborhoods and districts and outline archaeological methods for their identification and analysis. Illustrative cases are drawn from Mesopotamia and Mesoamerica, and I conclude with a review of the major top-down and bottom-up social forces that generate and shape neighborhoods and districts in preindustrial cities. |
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Keywords: | Cities Urbanism Neighborhoods Districts Communities Comparative analysis |
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