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Paperback The Early History of the Ancient Near East, 9000-2000 B.C. Book

ISBN: 0226586588

ISBN13: 9780226586588

The Early History of the Ancient Near East, 9000-2000 B.C.

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Book Overview

Hans J. Nissen here provides a much-needed overview of 7000 years of development in the ancient Near East from the beginning of settled life to the formation of the first regional states. His approach to the study of Mesopotamian civilization differs markedly from conventional orientations, which impose a sharp division between prehistoric and historic, literate, periods. Nissen argues that this approach is too rigid to explain the actual development of that civilization. He deemphasizes the invention of writing as a turning point, viewing it as simply one more phase in the evolution of social complexity and as the result of specific social, economic, and political factors.

With a unique combination of material culture analysis written data, Nissan traces the emergence of the earliest isolated settlements, the growth of a network of towns, the emergence of city states, and finally the appearance of territorial states. From his synthesis of the prehistoric and literate periods comes a unified picture of the development of Mesopotamian economy, society, and culture. Lavishly illustrated, The Early History of the Ancient Near East, 9000-2000 B.C. is an authoritative work by one of the most insightful observers of the evolution and character of Mesopotamian civilization.

Customer Reviews

3 customer ratings | 3 reviews

Rated 5 stars
History between Atlantis and Egypt.

I expected a little more of this book than what I got. Much of the archeological material leans on pot sherd findings and interpretations, something I am not too familiar with. I would think a people who possibly came from a more enlightened source would leave material that was further advanced in information than pottery shreds. It was very scientific with a few personal observations scattered through the rather brief...

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Rated 5 stars
Great read

You don't have to be in an Archeology class (like me) to appreciate this book. It is a quick-reader full of well flowing information. Its not too technical though, so its great for those with minor understandings of the period, or the field of study in general. So many people focus on Ancient Egypt or Babylon, but what about BEFORE then. Its an increadibley important time period, and what sorts of things happened may surprise...

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Rated 5 stars
Difficult to read, but well worth the effort

I bought this book along with two others because of a major gap in my knowledge in the period of Mesopotamia before the 1st Dynasty of Babylon, and because I wanted to have much better understanding of how the earliest civilizations developed from the simple humble settlements. This book provides and excellent and detailed review of the subject. The author, Hans J Nissen, describes the development of the early settlements...

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