This course is an overview of the prehistory and early historical periods of the ancient Near East. Considerable attention is given to the fundamental transitions that transform the human existence and create the foundations for later civilization, such as: (1) the colonization of the region by humans; (2) the emergence of food production (domestication of plants and animals), settled village life, and hierarchical social organization; (3) the rise of states, urban centers, and writing; and (4) the emergence of militaristic empires. The course examines both archaeological and historical evidence with a heavy emphasis on material culture, primary archaeological, and historical data, and the process of scholarly interpretation [3 credits]
This course is an overview of the prehistory and early historical periods of the ancient Near East. Considerable attention is given to the fundamental transitions that transform the human existence and create the foundations for later civilization, such as: (1) the colonization of the region by humans; (2) the emergence of food production (domestication of plants and animals), settled village life, and hierarchical social organization; (3) the rise of states, urban centers, and writing; and (4) the emergence of militaristic empires. The course examines both archaeological and historical evidence with a heavy emphasis on material culture, primary archaeological, and historical data, and the process of scholarly interpretation [3 credits]
