How Are Cities Lost?

Where Is: How Are Cities Lost?

There are two major ways a city can be lost. The first is for the city to be abandoned. The second is for the city to be destroyed by some sort of cataclysm. After the city is abandoned or destroyed, it may be remembered or forgotten.

Throughout history, cities have been abandoned for many reasons, but most often due to the vicissitudes of economics or politics. Memphis is one example. It was the ancient capitol of Egypt, but after the country was conquered by Rome, it was eventually abandoned. Another example is Angkor in Cambodia. The city was abandoned after a Thai invasion in the 15th Century.

Sometimes cities are lost due to natural disaster. Perhaps the most famous lost city of this kind is Pompeii. It was buried by a volcanic eruption and made uninhabitable. According to legend, the lost city of Atlantis was also destroyed by a natural disaster. However, there is no archaeological evidence to indicate whether or not Atlantis ever existed.

We may never know why some ancient lost cities were abandoned. For example, the ruins of Harappa have been found in the Indus Valley of Pakistan, but archaeologists can only speculate about the city's fate.

There is also a question of memory with lost cities. Harappa was completely forgotten until its ruins were discovered. Troy, famous from Homer's Illiad, was lost but remembered. It was eventually rediscovered by archaeologists. Some cities, like Atlantis, live on in legend, but may never be found.

Recommended hotels - How Are Cities Lost?

How Are Cities Lost? destination guide