{"product_id":"the-early-history-of-the-ancient-near-east-90002000-bc","title":"The Early History of the Ancient Near East  9000-2000 B.C.","description":"\u003cp\u003eHans J. Nissen here provides a much-needed overview of 7000 years of development in the ancient Near East from the beginning of settled life to the formation of the first regional states. His approach to the study of Mesopotamian civilization differs markedly from conventional orientations  which impose a sharp division between prehistoric and historic  literate  periods. Nissen argues that this approach is too rigid to explain the actual development of that civilization. He deemphasizes the invention of writing as a turning point  viewing it as simply one more phase in the evolution of social complexity and as the result of specific social  economic  and political factors.  With a unique combination of material culture analysis written data  Nissan traces the emergence of the earliest isolated settlements  the growth of a network of towns  the emergence of city states  and finally the appearance of territorial states. From his synthesis of the prehistoric and literate periods comes a unified picture of the development of Mesopotamian economy  society  and culture. Lavishly illustrated  The Early History of the Ancient Near East  9000-2000 B.C. is an authoritative work by one of the most insightful observers of the evolution and character of Mesopotamian civilization.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44987009466421,"sku":"ByrdShop_0226586561","price":65.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780226586564.jpg?v=1770922681","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-early-history-of-the-ancient-near-east-90002000-bc","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}