The early history of the ancient Near East, 9000-2000 B.C. / Hans J. Nissen ; translation by Elizabeth Lutzeier, with Kenneth J. Northcott.

By:

Nissen, Hans Jorg

Contributor(s):

Language: English Publication details: Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 1988.Description: xiv, 215 p. : ill. ; 24 cmISBN:

0226586561

Uniform titles:

Grundzüge einer Geschichte der Frühzeit des Vorderen Orients. English.

Subject(s):

Middle East -- History -- To 622

LOC classification:

DS62.2 N57 1988

Contents:

1. Sources and Problems -- 2. The Time of Settlement (ca. 9000-6000 B.C.) -- 3. From Isolated Settlement to Town (ca. 6000-3200 B.C.) -- 4. The Period of Early High Civilization (ca. 3200-2800 B.C.) -- 5. The Period of the Rival City-States (ca. 2800-2350 B.C.) -- 6. The Period of the First Territorial States (ca. 2350-2000 B.C.) -- 7. Prospects.

Summary: 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.

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Holdings
Item type	Current library	Call number	Vol info	Copy number	Status	Date due	Barcode
Books	Hollanda Araştırma Enstitüsü Kütüphanesi / Netherlands Institute in Turkey Library	DS62.2, N57 1988 (Browse shelf(Opens below))	1	1	Not For Loan		263

Translation of : Grundzüge einer Geschichte der Fruhzeit des Vorderen Orients.

Includes bibliographical reference (p. 203-210) and index.

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.

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