What is a City? Discussion
What is a city?
1. A city is a population settlement that has political, administrative, and religious functions.
What might be archaeological correlates of the three elements of a city listed in the
definition?
2. The evidence of POLITICAL FUNCTIONS could include, written laws, buildings, resolving
conflicts within societies. Rules imposed for society to follow, decision-making regarding law or
businesses in the city. Government functions, government buildings.
Evidence for ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS in a city may include, accounting on food in
the city or commerce, buildings, possibly kept files on the city or on financial accounts. It could
possibly contain saved reports on how many people are in the city. In addition, it could have
documents administered from the locals / companies / shops of the town
Evidence of includes, temples, churches, altars, buildings for RELIGIOUS FUNCTIONS
prayers, have adorations or worship Structures, figures with whom they worship. The
construction of a sanctuary possibly, religious symbols. Symbols / drawings about belief in a god
or governor.
What is the evidence that el-Amarna is a city based on archaeological correlates?
3. Temples = RELIGIOUS
Government = POLITICS
Establishments = ADMINISTRATIVE
Records Office = ADMINISTRATIVE
Sanctuary = RELIGIOUS
Bakeries = ADMINISTRATIVE (BASED ON LOCAL BILLS AND TAXES)
Police stations = ADMINISTRATIVE (BASED ON THE COUNT OF THE PLACE AND
ITS RECORDS)
Government buildings = POLITICS
Altars = RELIGIOUS
Statue = RELIGIOUS
The Great Temple = RELIGIOUS, ADMINISTRATIVE AND POLITICAL (BECAUSE IT
WAS BUILT FOR MANY PURPOSES)
Tell el-Amarna should be classified as a city?
4. Based on the information, the hypothesis was accepted. el-Amarna has evidence of a hierarchy
of leadership, it has buildings identified as earthquakes, government buildings and buildings that
functioned as dwellings for the inhabitants apart from the king's dwelling. In addition, there is
evidence of a functional population with diverse functions, such as commerce, politics, police,
and the employees who usually work for the king. In addition, the evidence found also provides
different facts such as the growth of the city, which is known to have been growing and operating
for 20 years. In this way, we can confirm that el-Amarna meets all the requirements to be
considered a city.
