Section: Social Complexity
Subsection: Social Scale

Population of the Largest Settlement

population of the largest settlement is the estimated population of the largest settlement of the polity. note that the largest settlement could be different from the capital (coded under general variables). if possible, indicate the dynamics (that is, how population changed during the temporal period of the polity). note that we are also building a city database - you should consult it as it may already have the needed data.   (See here)
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Variable Definition
Polity The Seshat Polity ID
Year(s) The years for which we have the data. [negative = BCE]
Tag [Evidenced, Disputed, Suspected, Inferred, Unknown]
Verified A Seshat Expert has approved this piece of data.

Variable Definition
population_of_the_largest_settlement_from The lower range of population of the largest settlement for a polity.
population_of_the_largest_settlement_to The upper range of population of the largest settlement for a polity.

# Polity Year(s) Population of the Largest Settlement from Population of the Largest Settlement to Description   Edit
541
(Early Tana 2)
Full Year Range of Early Tana 2 is assumed.
[750, 999]
None
None
Inhabitants. 4900 at Unguja Ukuu, but was it the largest settlement? "The site size estimates have provided indications that with the aid of ethno-archaeological data can be used to approximate populations for the primary occupations. In Period Ia, the site had a population of about 1600 adults and this expanded in Period Ib to about 4900 adult individuals." [Juma 2004]
542
(Sind - Samma Dynasty)
Full Year Range of Sind - Samma Dynasty is assumed.
[1335, 1521]
None
None
Thatta
543
(Rouran Khaganate)
Full Year Range of Rouran Khaganate is assumed.
[300, 555]
None
None
Inhabitants.
After 500 CE
"It was at this time that the Juan-juan are reported to have first built a town: they surrounded it with inner and outer walls and called it Mumochen. They also gradually learnt to write, and by now there were many learned people among them." [Kyslasov_Dani_Litvinsky 1996, p. 317]
544
(Kingdom of Hawaii - Kamehameha Period)
Full Year Range of Kingdom of Hawaii - Kamehameha Period is assumed.
[1778, 1819]
None
None
None
545
(Khanate of Bukhara)
Full Year Range of Khanate of Bukhara is assumed.
[1599, 1747]
None
None
Inhabitants.
Bukhara had between 110,000 and 140,000 inhabitants in 1900 CE. [Gangler_Gaube_Petruccioli 2004, p. 80]
546
(Hephthalite Empire)
Full Year Range of Hephthalite Empire is assumed.
[408, 561]
None
None
None
547
(Akan - Pre-Ashanti)
Full Year Range of Akan - Pre-Ashanti is assumed.
[1501, 1701]
None
None
Inhabitants. See above.
548
(Portuguese Empire - Early Modern)
Full Year Range of Portuguese Empire - Early Modern is assumed.
[1640, 1806]
135000
135000
Inhabitants. "Lisbon itself had a population of about 65,000 in 1527 and 100,000 by mid-century, by which time it was the largest city in the whole Iberian peninsula." [Disney 2009] "Lisbon was still easily Portugal’s largest city; but its population actually declined in the first few decades of the eighteenth century, then rose again inline with overall trends. By 1756 it stood at about 135,000." [Disney 2009] Note that this was after the earthquake of 1755: "Shortly before 9.45 A.M. on 1 November 1755 Lisbon was struck by a massive earthquake thought to have measured 8.5 to 9 on the Richter scale. [...] When it was all finally over, some 10,000 to 15,000 of Lisbon’s inhabitants had lost their lives and the city lay in ruins." [Disney 2009]
549
(Ak Koyunlu)
Full Year Range of Ak Koyunlu is assumed.
[1339, 1501]
None
None
Inhabitants.
Amed was their capital for almost seventy years. [Quiring-Zoche 1986]
550
(Yemen Ziyadid Dynasty)
Full Year Range of Yemen Ziyadid Dynasty is assumed.
[822, 1037]
None
None
Inhabitants.
Sanaa
1050 CE 'a thousand houses'.
'the time of al-Rashid': 'one hundred thousand' houses.
A Zaidi chronicler reported that "From [1014-1056] ruin prevailed in Sanaa and elsewhere in the country of Yemen ... the inhabitants became so extenuated that they dispersed in all directions. The city fell into ruin. Construction declined to the point where there were only a thousand houses, whereas in the time of al-Rashid there had been one hundred thousand." [Stookey 1978, p. 57]
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