Product Description
Originally coined to signify a style of pottery in southern Iraq, and by extension an associated people and a chronological period, the term "Ubaid" is now often used loosely to denote a vast Near Eastern interaction zone, characterized by similarities in material culture, particularly ceramic styles, which existed during the sixth and fifth millennia B.C. This zone extended over 2,000 km from the shores of the Mediterranean to the Straits of Hormuz, including parts of Anatolia and perhaps even the Caucasus. The volume contains twenty-three papers that explore what the "Ubaid" is, how it is identified, and how the Ubaid in one location compares to another in a distant location. The papers are the result of "The Ubaid Expansion? Cultural Meaning, Identity and the Lead-up to Urbanism," an International Workshop held at Grey College, University of Durham, 20-22 April 2006. ... Read more

Product Description
This 4-vol. set examines the cultures of the ancient Near East from the Bronze Age (3200 B.C.E.) to the Hellenistic era (325 B.C.E) and describes the archaeology and the history of each subregion. Languages, religious life, governments, peace and war, commerce and agriculture, and the visual and performing arts are covered. The set explores an area ranging from North Africa to Central Asia, and treats Syro-Palestine, Mesopotamia, Iran/Persia, Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), the Arabian Peninsula, and the islandcultures of the Mediterranean. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

great and helpful
This book was a great book for my reasearch project. Very clear and understandable! Check it out from the library instead! ... Read more

Product Description
A thorough exploration of the nature and processes thatled to civilization can be successfully accomplished by examiningwell-known archaeological areas in depth and within a comparativeframework. This newly revised edition of Ancient Civilizationsembraces this useful approach and remains the only in-depth overviewthat provides detailed discussions of both New World and Old Worldcivilizations within the same book. The material is well presented ina lively yet authoritative manner by two highly regardedanthropologists. All educators and readers concerned with the factualand theoretical issues surrounding ancient civilizations in the NearEast, South and Central Asia, and Mesoamerica will find this to be anindispensable volume. A considerably expanded concluding chapterprovides insights into some of the current debates about thedevelopment of ancient civilizations. ... Read more

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Renowned archaeologist David Wengrow creates here a vivid new account of the "birth of civilization" in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, bringing together within a unified history the first two nations where people created cities, kingdoms, and monumental temples to the gods. But civilization, Wengrow argues, is not exclusively about large-scale settlements and endeavors. Just as important are the ordinary but fundamental practices of everyday life, such as cooking, running a home, and cleaning the body. Tracing the development of such practices, from prehistoric times to the age of the pyramids, Wengrow reveals unsuspected connections between distant regions and provides new insights into the workings of societies we have come to regard as remote from our own. The book obliges us to recognize that civilizations are not formed in isolation, but through the mixing and borrowing of culture between different societies. It concludes by drawing telling parallels between the ancient Near East and more contemporary attempts to reshape the world according to an ideal image. ... Read more

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Ancient Egypt and the Middle East follows the fluctuating fortunes of the great civilization of Egypt which flourished for 3,000 years in the Nile Valley. Its monumental buildings, along with beautiful tomb paintings, artifacts, documents and writings, provide a picture of a rich, complex, and sophisticated society. Alongside Egypt, other states and cultures developed, building important political and trading links, competing to preserve and extend their influence. Ancient Egypt and the Middle East charts the development of these societies and looks at the factors that shaped the different settlement patterns in this region. Beginning with the first appearance of towns and organized societies in around 3500 BC, the book covers the period of integration under the Old Kingdom, its collapse, and the subsequent reunification under the Middle Kingdom. In the 500 years of the New Kingdom -- the Age of Empire -- Egypt extended its borders and controlled the trading of gold, luxury goods, and natural resources between Asia and Africa. Ancient Egypt and the Middle East also describes Egypt's ultimate decline as successive powers emerged, culminating in its defeat by Rome and assimilation into the Roman Empire. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great book on early Near East myth
This is the first of the Myth and Mankind books i have read, but I have really enjoyed it. It lays out a large selection of near eastern myths in a story format that is easy to read and understand, while also providing notes about variations on the stories and some background information on the re-discovery of these myths. The photographs are excellent and include some less commonly seen artifacts along with the classics (you can't have an ancient near eastern book without a picture of the Standard of Ur). Althoughthis is not an extensive in-depth analysis of the myths, it is not overly simplistic or a children's book. It is a great introduction to the myths or the region and enjoyable to read.

Masterpice!!
This is easily one of the better developed Myth and Mankind books. The book is well rounded in scope between all of the ancient Middle East cultures and provides amazing comparisons between them. From Sumerian, Hittite, Babylonian and Assyrian myths this book does an exceedingly proficient job of providing suficient myths of the pantheons of all cultures as well as background and side/hero stories.

The tales in this book are very invigorating as well as exciting and provide a wealth of information on Middle Eastern Mythology expecially in terms of pantheons, creation and hero tales. The stories as well are often accompanied with vivd pictures or descriptions to add to the whole flamboyant presentation of the book and provide real life evidence of the culture through history and artifacts.

Much like the other books in the series this book does an exceptional job of using comparitive mythology to analyze the cultures of the region between each other as well as on a global view. The books power to provide direct and engaging examples of myth between cultures provides for an amazing view of how all the cultures shared beliefs as well as to how different cultures adopted and manipoulated certain myths for their own region.

I would highly recomend this book as well as the rest of the Myth and Mankind series for a fan of comparitive mythology as well as a fan of ancient world culture an mythology. ... Read more

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Traces the development of man from the earliest food-gatherers through the origins of civilization to the consolidation of the Persian Empire. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

An interesting source for general comprehenstion of the subject
I learned about the book in the Jack Sasson's mailing list. The reviewer suggested the book as a very good source for students who are new to the field as well as any layperson interested in the history of Mesopotamia. I would like to modify this description as follows; the book is a valuable source for putting together your scattered mental data of the periods, kingdoms, etc, by depicting an interesting and continuous socio-cultural background of the life which was going on in these periods. I had always heard about Ubaid, uruk, ur dynasties, amorites... without being able to fix in my mind a clear picture of their continuation and overlappings. This book, though relatively short, gave me that view and familiarized me with the life which was going on behind all these names and expressions. Since I am a second year PhD student, I cannot tell for sure how useful the book might be for a more advanced specialist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Thorough and Informative
'Ancient Canaan and Israel' is a really nice chunk of research that lends insight into the lives of Canaanites and others back "in the day."There isn't much in the way of direct historical relics from that time, but the authors do an excellent job piecing together as much as they can.They present the facts in an unbiased manner clearly stating what is known and what is theory.The organization could be better as I had trouble skimming through on occassion to find certain information.Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for some straight-up textbook style history learning. ... Read more

Product Description
Here in superb color photographs is the visual experience of a journey along the Nile. Egypt's monuments and treasures--the pyramids of Giza and Saqqara and the temples and tombs of Thebes--are visited, as are the less well-known sites and cities of the Delta, the Faiyum, Sinai, and Nubia. The accompanying text gives an overview of five thousand years of Egyptian history from the first pharaohs to the modern Arab republic. Each location is illustrated by a site plan and photographs not only of the principal structures but also of objects from the site, allowing these extraordinary works of art to be appreciated in their original setting. Specially commissioned cross-sectional diagrams, a double fold-out map of the Nile's course, and an illustrated glossary complete this panoramic study of Egyptian civilization. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Well worth the Money
I purchased this book for my husband for his birthday.We traveled to Egypt earlier in the year and he wanted a coffee tablebook with both history, diagrams and photographs of the places we visited as a memento of our travels there..I looked everywhere, including Egypt and couldn't find anything comprehensive or of good quality until I came across this one.

There are hundreds of beautiful photographs, diagrams of tombs, explanations of building techniques, and history about all of the major (and many less known) archeological finds in Egypt.Absolutely the best out there.I highly recommend it.

Cellars of Books were fantastic about safely getting me this beautiful out-of-print book in time for El Jeffe's birthday!

EXTREMELY PLEASANT PICTURE BOOK
I will not add too much to what the other reviewers have opined on this magnificent book.It is gorgeously illustrated with superior photographs and interesting drawings and geographical overviews.

It is the perfect book to get anyone interested in the never-endingtreasures to be found in Egypt.The large-format size and the several fold-outs only add to the many and varied pleasures to be found in this book.

Also, it is somewhat scholarly and has some very useful timelines and genealogies.

Highly recommended to all Egyptophiles and lovers of antiquity alike.

Tim Wingate, CANADA

i drool whenever i look at this book
i don't have this book yet. i have already told hubby that he's getting it for me for valentines. everytime i go into the bookstore, i take it off the shelf and spend about a half hour just leafing through it and looking at the pictures. if you are not sure whether you want to put out the money to buy this book, do yourself a favor and see if they have a copy at the bookstore and look through it. i know you'll be convinced that it's worth the price. i plan on ordering my book rather than buying it off the shelf. there are several fold out sections in the book and i want to make sure they are in good shape. the pictures of the temples and tombs in the book are great. also lots of maps. i admit, i'm an egyptology geek, but i think anyone who is interested in egypt will enjoy this book. if egypt is a hobby/passion, this book is a must have. i know it's a bit pricey, but you're payig for a book full of fantastic color photographs and you defintiely get what you are playing for. you get your money's worth with this book. my only regret is that i have to wait 6 weeks til i can have my copy in my hot lil' hands. :)

Splendid book on Egypt's splendors
I first saw this book after a four-week trip to Egypt, where our travels included as much as we could see between the relocated monument Ramses II built in honor of himself at Abu Simbel to the vicinity of El-Qahira (Cairo) and its monuments and museums. This book is the one I have chosen to "keep my memories fresh" and share them with others- it is that good, and more. The illustrations are brilliant; the informative text is thorough and illuminating without being pedantic or burying the photos and drawings. I only wish the Cairo Museum had books as good as this one! If you love Egypt, this book will live an active life on your coffee table.

beautifully illustrated
The book contains over 300 magnificent photographs and illustrations of Egypt's monuments, treasures, archaeological discoveries and travelers. The reader will see the pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Faiyum, the Sinai,the Strait of Tiran, Nubia, Tanis, Esna, Luxor, Karnak, Philae, Dendera,Abu Simbel, Deir el-Bahri, the Valley of the Queens, Edfu, Kom Ombo and theValley of the Kings, and will identify Ernesto Schiaparelli, AugusteMariette, Jean-François Champollion and Howard Carter, among many famousdiscoverers. A history of this fascinating civilization, from ancient tomodern Egypt, is included, as well as reconstructions of tombs, abibliography and a glossary. For everyone to own. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Egypt; Civilization; History / Ancient / General; History / Ancient / Egypt; History / Middle East / Egypt; History / Civilization; Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Middle East; Social Science / Archaeology; ... Read more

Product Description
The Historical Dictionary of Ancient India provides information ranging from the earliest Paleolithic cultures in the Indian subcontinent to 1000 CE. The ancient history of this country is related in this book through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on rulers, bureaucrats, ancient societies, religion, gods, and philosophical ideas. ... Read more

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Contents: Tepe Chenchi: An Important Settlement Near Khorsabad (G. Algaze); Re-Examination of a Cult-and-Art Object from Beth Yerah (R. Amiran); Notes on the Style and Iconography of the Chalcolithic Hoard from Nahal Mishmar (P. Beck); A Recut Old Babylonian Seal with a Sumerian Prayer of the Kassite Period (R. D. Biggs); Comments on Small Finds and Items of Artistic Significance from Tell Hadidi and Nearby Sites in the Euphrates Valley, Syria (R. H. Dornemann); Village Potters in Early Bronze Age Palestine: A Case Study (D. Esse); Damonen ohne Stammbaum: Zu einigen mesopotamischen Amuletten aus dem Kunsthandel (W. Farber); Hittite kursa 'Hunting Bag' (H. G. Guterbock); God or Worshipper (Th. Jacobsen); A Royal Head from Luxor (J. H. Johnson and D. Whitcomb); A New Third Millennium Sculpture from Mozan (M. Kelly-Buccellati); An Early Industrial Proto-Urban Center on the Central Plateau of Iran: Tepe Ghabristan (Y. Majidzadeh); A Monster Mirrored (H. P. Martin); The Chronology and Ceramic Assemblages of Alalakh (T. L. McClellan); Crown Window Panes: Constantinian or Justinian? (C. Meyer); Mosaic, Glass, and Frit Vessels from Marlik (E. O. Negahban); Problems of Late Assyrian Reliefs (E. Porada); The Judean Desert Treasure from Nahal Mishmar: A Chalcolithic Traders' Hoard? (M. Tadmor); Urartian Bronzes Formerly in the Oriental Institute Museum (M. van Loon); Carved Bones from Corinth (E. Vermeule); Some Foreign Personal Names and Loan-Words from the Deir el-Medineh Ostraca (W. A. Ward); An Early Pottery Jar with Incised Decoration from Egypt (B. B. Williams); North Syrian Ivories and Tell Halaf Reliefs: The Impact of Luxury Goods upon 'Major' Arts (I. J. Winter); Ancient Egypt and the Red Sea Trade: The Case for Obsidian in the Predynastic and Archaic Periods (J. Zarins); Pottery Profiles Reconstructed from Jar Sealings in the Lower Seal Impression Strata (SIS 8-4) at Ur: New Evidence for Dating (R. L. Zettler). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A fitting tribute to a beloved teacher and scholar
This volume is a collection of studies written by a wide range of scholars, dealing with the culture, history, art and archaeology of the Ancient World, especially relating to the ancient near east. Written as atribute to the Late Helene J. Kantor, one of the leading figures in thestudy of the art of the ancient near east in the 20th century, it is atribute to the wide-ranging interests and expertise, outstanding teachingskills and warmth of the late Prof. Kantor. The various papers offerstudies covering a wide range of topics, such as pottery from Bronze AgeSyria and the Levant, Mesopotamian art, history and chronology, to mentionbut a few. Though this volume is not meant for the general public, the highscholarly quality of most of the articles insures it will play an importantrole in modern archaeological and historical research of the ancient neareast, and serve as a worthy memory for the late Helene Kantor. ... Read more