Part of the 'Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies' series.
DT Potts approaches the ancient civilisation of Southern Mesopotamia (Southern Iraq) from a perspective entirely new and of particular value to students of archaeology and anthropology. His focus is upon the material infrastructure of Mesopotamia as the pre-condition for its high cultural achievement, relating its sophisticated literature and religious philosophy to the geographical and material foundations of the land and its society as a whole.
Contents include:
- The Country and its Climate
- The Aboriginal Population of Southern Mesopotamia
- Agriculture and Diet
- Inedible Natural Resources
- Watercraft
- Pottery Production
- Metal Production
- Some Material Correlates of Religious Life
- Kinship in an Urban Society
- Mortuary Practices
- Functional Aspects of Writing and Sealing
- East meets West
- West meets East
- Some Reflections
