The Cambridge History of Early Inner Asia

This volume introduces the geographical setting of Central Asia and follows its history from the palaeolithic era to the rise of the Mongol empire in the thirteenth century.

Denis Sinor (Edited by)

9780521243049, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 1 March 1990

532 pages
23.9 x 15.6 x 3.7 cm, 0.95 kg

"This volume is a splendid synthesis of narrative and analytical history, and a definitive work of reference." Choice

This volume introduces the geographical setting of Central Asia and follows its history from the palaeolithic era to the rise of the Mongol empire in the thirteenth century. From earliest times Central Asia linked and separated the great sedentary civilisations of Europe and Asia. In the pre-modern period 'Inner Asia' was definable more as a cultural than a geographical entity, its frontiers shifting according to the changing balances of power. Written by distinguished international scholars who have pioneered the exploration of Central Asia's poorly documented past, this volume discusses chronologically the varying historical achievements of the disparate population groups in the region.

Preface
1. Introduction: the concept of Inner Asia Denis Sinor
2. The geographical setting Robert N. Taaffe
3. Inner Asia at the dawn of history A. P. Okladnikov
4. The Scythians and Sarmatians A. I. Melyukvoa
5. The Hsiung-nu Ying-Shih Yu
6. Indo-Europeans in Inner Asia A. K. Narain
7. The Hun period Denis Sinor
8. The Avars Samuel Szadeczky-Kardoss
9. The peoples of the Russian forest belt Peter B. Golden
10. The peoples of the south Russian steppes Peter B. Golden
11. The establishment and dissolution of the Turk empire Denis Sinor
12. The Uighars Colin Mackerras
13. The Karakhanids and early Islam Peter B. Golden
14. Early and medieval Tibet Helmut Hoffman
15. The forest peoples of Manchuria: Kitans and Jurchens Herbert Franke
Bibliographies
Index.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]