Mesopotamia Before History

by Charvßt,Petr

• ISBN13: 9780415251044
• ISBN10: 0415251044
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-05-31
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Mesopotamia was one of the earliest regions to produce writing, literature and the fine arts, as well as being one of the first areas to construct states. This comprehensive and detailed survey of the region's prehistory and protohistory shows how these fascinating developments were possible. Petr Charvat explores the economic, social and spiritual spheres in Mesopotamia from the Palaeolithic to the time of the early states, c. 100,000 BC to 2334 BC. The narrative is supplemented by numerous descriptions of the principal archaeological sites for each phase, and by conclusions outlining the most important developments and changes. Richly illustrated with 69 line figures, 3 maps and 44 plates,Mesopotamia before historyis a valuable introduction to the archaeology of this critical period.

Table of Contents

List of figures	vii
Introduction	xi
The Palaeolithic	1	(5)
Pilot sites	1	(1)
Shanidar	1	(1)
Palegawra	2	(1)
Interpretation	2	(4)
The origin of man as a biological species	2	(1)
The Palaeolithic of ancient Mesopotamia	3	(1)
Economy	4	(1)
Society	4	(1)
Metaphysics	5	(1)
The Mesolithic or Epipalaeolithic	6	(7)
Pilot sites	6	(2)
Shanidar B1	6	(1)
Zawi Chemi Shanidar	6	(1)
Karim Shahir	7	(1)
Interpretation	8	(5)
Economy, technology	8	(1)
Society	9	(1)
Metaphysics	10	(3)
The Neolithic	13	(29)
Pilot sites	13	(12)
Jarmo, or Qalaat Jarmo	13	(1)
Umm Dabaghiyah	14	(2)
Tell Hassuna	16	(2)
Yarimtepe I	18	(3)
Choga Mami	21	(1)
Tell es-Sawwan	22	(3)
Interpretation	25	(17)
Economy	25	(10)
Society	35	(2)
Metaphysics	37	(5)
The Chalcolithic	42	(56)
Pilot sites	42	(15)
Tell Arpachiyah	42	(3)
Yarimtepe II	45	(1)
Eridu	46	(3)
Tepe Gawra	49	(4)
Tell Awayli	53	(2)
Tell Madhhur	55	(2)
Interpretation	57	(38)
Economy	57	(17)
Society	74	(16)
Metaphysics	90	(5)
Conclusions	95	(3)
The Uruk culture: A civilization is born	98	(62)
Pilot sites	98	(18)
Uruk	98	(8)
Khafajeh-Sin `temple'	106	(2)
Grai Resh	108	(1)
Tepe Gawra	109	(7)
Interpretation	116	(42)
Economy	116	(15)
Society	131	(19)
Metaphysics	150	(8)
Conclusions	158	(2)
When kingship descended upon the earth: the Jemdet Nasr and Early Dynastic periods	160	(74)
Pilot sites	160	(16)
Uruk	160	(2)
Jemdet Nasr	162	(3)
Abu Salabikh	165	(1)
Fara	166	(1)
Kis	167	(3)
Ur	170	(3)
Sakheri Sughir	173	(1)
Tepe Gawra VI	174	(2)
Interpretation	176	(58)
Economy	176	(20)
Society	196	(26)
Metaphysics	222	(12)
Conclusions	234	(6)
Bibliography	240	(31)
Index	271