32 Ancient Cities That Are Older Than the Pyramids

21. Eridu: Where Civilization May Have Begun

Often referred to in Sumerian texts as the “first city,” Eridu was founded around 5400 BCE and holds immense cultural weight in Mesopotamian mythology. Located in southern Iraq, it was home to the god Enki and featured a grand temple complex that evolved over centuries. Archaeological evidence shows a continuous building of temples on top of each other—layer upon layer—representing both architectural development and religious continuity. Eridu’s mythic and historical significance gives it a special place in the narrative of human civilization.