The Archaeology of Syria: From Complex Hunter-Gatherers to Early Urban Societies (c.16,000-300 BC)

by Peter M. M. G. Akkermans, Glenn M. Schwartz

Overview

This book is the first comprehensive presentation of the archaeology of Syria from the end of the Paleolithic period to 300 BC. Although Syria has been the focus of intensive excavations for decades, no large-scale review of the results of these excavations has ever appeared until now. Syria is one of the prime areas of excavation and archaeological field work in the Middle East, and Peter Akkermans and Glenn Schwartz outline the many important finds yielded by Syria, before providing their own perspectives and conclusions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521796668
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/08/2004
Series:	Cambridge World Archaeology
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	486
Product dimensions:	6.69(w) x 9.61(h) x 0.98(d)

About the Author

GLENN M. SCHWARTZ is Whiting Professor of Archaeology in the Department of Near Eastern Studies, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.

PETER M. M. G. AKKERMANS is Curator of the Department of Ancient Near East at the National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Hunter-gatherers at the end of the Ice Age; 3. A changing perspective: neolithic beginnings; 4. The exploration of new horizons; 5. Continuity and change in the late sixth and fifth millenium BC; 6. The fourth millenium BC and the Uruk intrusion; 7. Regionalization and local trajectories; 8. The 'second urban revolution' and its aftermath; 9. The regeneration of complex societies; 10. Empires and internationalism; 11. Iron age Syria; 12. Conclusions.

Editorial Reviews

"The impressive scholarship of the authors has resulted in an updated presentation of published (and even unpublished) evidence. The authors have offered a precious tool to students and interested readers alike:the effort towards explanation is commendable and remains constant throughout the book, challenging the reader to check and elaborate them." American Journal of Archaeology, Nicoló Marchetti, Department of Archaeology, Universitá Di Bologna

From the Publisher