Product Description

The only critical guide to the theory and method of Mesopotamian archaeology, this innovative volume evaluates its theories, methods and approaches from its origins in the nineteenth century up to the present day.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #448112 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
'Extremely erudite, literate and considered... [R. Matthews is] an essayist of considerable talent... [A] sophisticated, knowledgeable and eminently readable voice... It is a refreshing work and one which all of us concerned with ancient Mesopotamia may consult with profit.' - Ancient West and East

From the Back Cover

The only critical guide to the theory and method of Mesopotamian archaeology, this innovative volume evaluates the theories, methods, approaches and history of Mesopotamian archaeology from its origins in the nineteenth century up to the present day.

Ancient Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), was the original site of many of the major developments in human history, such as farming, the rise of urban literate societies and the first great empires of Akkad, Babylonia and Assyria.

Dr. Matthews places the discipline within its historical and social context, and explains how archaeologists conduct their research through excavation, survey and other methods. In four fundamental chapters, he uses illustrated case-studies to show how archaeologists have approached central themes such as:

* the shift from hunting to farming
* complex societies
* empires and imperialism
* everyday life.

This will be both an ideal introductory work and useful as background reading on a wide range of courses.

Customer Reviews

How ancient Mesopotamia is recreated
Already from looking at the photo on the cover it is clear that Roger Matthews’ book is not one of the standard introductions to the archaeology of the Mesopotamia. Where most books on the topic have works of art or impressive architecture on the cover, Matthews has chosen to show a couple of the most vital participants in modern-day archaeological investigations: two local workmen concentrated on digging up their own past at the archaeological site of Tell Brak in northeastern Syria. All the way through, this book continually does the same thing as the cover photo: it shows us yet another side of what we already know of Mesopotamia by critically discussing the ongoing investigations in the region.
The ”Big Questions” of Mesopotamian archaeology are taken up and discussed in a very thorough and thoughtprovoking manner, which certainly kept this reader captive all the way through. The origins of agriculture, the development of the first real cities, complex societies and states are discussed, as well as what we know about the everyday life of ordinary people in Mesopotamia. At the same time, theories and methods, strengths and weaknesses, as well as the use and misuse of archaeology, are discussed. This is to my knowledge the first book that has attempted to discuss not just the results of archaeological research of Mesopotamia, but also the theories behind and the methods of the discipline in this part of the world, and it is, simply, a brilliant piece of scholarly work.
This book ought to be compulsory reading for all students of Near Eastern archaeology, and is also recommended to everybody else who wants to know not just what archaeologists think ancient Mesopotamia was like, but also how they have come to think about Mesopotamia the way they do.

Mesopotamia uncovered
This book has been of great use to me over the last few months. Although the books in this 'Approaches to the Ancient World' series are slim, don't be fooled - it is a treasure trove of useful information. Professor Matthews has an easy, engaging prose style, which at the same time tackles many meaty theoretical and practical issues relevant to anyone studying this region.

I am an Ancient History student and I consider archaeology highly important in reconstructing history (although remarkably, there are mnay who do not agree and focus almost exclusively on the texts.) One thing I particularly appreciate is the way in which he addresses this issue directly, discussing the theory that has prompted the recent, slightly uneasy reacquaintance of material and textual evidence and practicing his own suggestions to great effect.

The book also begins with a clear, succinct overview of Mesopotamian scholarship (past and present), which is linked nicely to the current themes and issues. The book is peppered throughout with references to Matthews' own work in Near Eastern archaeology, first as Director of the British Institute of Archaeology at Iraq, then Ankara in Turkey. As I said, this is a slim and unassuming volume, albeit of disproportionate quality and insight. Enjoy.