The book "Art of the First Cities The Third Millennium BC from the Mediterranean to the Indus" by Paul Barber provides a comprehensive overview of the development of urbanization in the ancient world, focusing on the period between 30000 and 1500 BCE. The book explores how the emergence of cities in the third millennium BC marked a significant turning point in human history, as it led to the development of complex societies and the growth of trade, technology, and culture. The author argues that this period saw the rise of sophisticated city-states such as Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Ur, which laid the foundations for modern civilization. The book is divided into four main sections, each of which examines a different aspect of urbanization during this time period. The first section looks at the origins of urbanization, tracing the evolution of early cities from small agricultural settlements to larger, more complex societies. The second section explores the technological advancements that made urbanization possible, including the development of writing, metallurgy, and architecture. The third section delves into the cultural achievements of these early cities, including their art, literature, and religion. Finally, the fourth section discusses the impact of urbanization on the societies of the time, including the rise of empires and the development of complex political systems. Throughout the book, Barber emphasizes the importance of understanding the process of technological evolution as the basis for survival of humanity. He argues that the ability to adapt and innovate has been crucial to human progress, and that this capacity must be cultivated in order to ensure the survival of our species.

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