Four Lost Cities

In 'Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age,' Annalee Newitz takes readers on an adventure through the deep history of urban life, exploring the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, the Roman town of Pompeii, the medieval megacity of Angkor, and the indigenous metropolis Cahokia.

Newitz investigates the mix of environmental changes and political turmoil that led to the abandonment of these cities and highlights the contributions of often anonymous workers such as slaves, women, immigrants, and manual laborers.

The book connects the histories of these cities to the challenges facing urban life in the twenty-first century, foreseeing a future where most people will live in cities and drawing lessons from the past to inform our future.