The Archaeology of Syria
From Complex Hunter-Gatherers to Early Urban Societies (c.16,000–300 BC)

A unique review of the archaeology of Syria from the Paleolithic period to 300 BC.

Peter M. M. G. Akkermans (Author), Glenn M. Schwartz (Author)

9780521796668, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 8 January 2004

486 pages, 191 b/w illus. 13 maps
24.8 x 16.7 x 2.6 cm, 0.77 kg

'… a useful reference tool for professional archaeologists and an excellent introduction for students.' Antiquity

This was the first book to present a comprehensive review of the archaeology of Syria from the end of the Paleolithic period to 300 BC. Syria has become a prime focus of field archaeology in the Middle East in the past thirty years, and Peter Akkermans and Glenn Schwartz discuss the results of this intensive fieldwork, integrating them with earlier research. Alongside the major material culture types of each period, they examine important contributions of Syrian archaeology to issues like the onset of agriculture, the emergence of private property and social inequality, the rise and collapse of urban life, and the archaeology of early empires. All competing interpretations are set out and considered, alongside the authors' own perspectives and conclusions.

1. Introduction
2. Hunter-gatherers at the end of the Ice Age
3. A changing perspective: neolithic beginnings
4. The exploration of new horizons
5. Continuity and change in the late sixth and fifth millenium BC
6. The fourth millenium BC and the Uruk intrusion
7. Regionalization and local trajectories
8. The 'second urban revolution' and its aftermath
9. The regeneration of complex societies
10. Empires and internationalism
11. Iron age Syria
12. Conclusions.

Subject Areas: Prehistoric archaeology [HDDA], Archaeology by period / region [HDD]