This book traces the transformation of the belief systems that shaped life in ancient Near Eastern communities, from prehistoric times until the advent of religious monotheism in the Levant during the first millennium BCE. It offers new insights into the symbolic value embodied in the religious... číst celé
The first volume in the series D of “Studien zur Urbanisierung Nordmesopotamines” features proceedings from an international workshop held during the VI ICAANE 2008 in Rome. This workshop sought to broaden the understanding of socioeconomic exchanges between communities in Northern Mesopotamia and Southeastern Anatolia during the Late Third and Early Second millennium BC. The 19 contributions are organized into two sections. The first section, ‘Environment, Landscape and Settlement Pattern,’ examines how settlements in the Syrian Jazirah and the Upper Tigris and Euphrates valleys responded to historical and climatic events that halted the urban revolution of the Late Third millennium BC, which persisted until the rise of the Old Akkadian Empire. It also explores the relationships between these regions, highlighting the positive outcomes of the socioeconomic crisis of the Late Third millennium. The second section, ‘Site’s Analyses and Material Culture,’ presents various archaeological case studies from the Upper Tigris valley and Syrian Jazirah, showcasing new findings from recent research and excavations, and revealing connections between the two regions based on material culture. The volume concludes with a synthesis of societal transformations in Northern Mesopotamia and Southeastern Anatolia, comparing various explanations for these changes.