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Akkermans; Glenn M. Schwartz Review by: Bradley J. Parker Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, No. 341 (Feb., 2006), pp. 67-68 Published by: The American Schools of Oriental Research Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25066936 . Accessed: 10/09/2013 08:00
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2006
BOOK REVIEWS 67
Levy,
T. E.;
Adams,
R.
B.;
Najjar, Brandi,
M.; B.;
Hauptmann, Robinson, M.
A.; A.;
J. D.; T.
production,
and other
2004
Reassessing
New en-Nahas
Excavations
each chapter the various foci of re outlines Although search in a given often presenting in detail oppos period, the authors offered scholars, by different ing arguments
van
der
Steen,
E.,
2006
Radiocarbon Dates from Khirbat en-Nahas: A Methodological Critique. Antiquity 307 (online
Project Gallery, December): (in press). http://antiquity. ac.uk/projgall/
readers
attempting point of view. rather style work vance although the field it does
this methodology
Thus,
The by
Archaeology
The Archaeology of Syria: From Complex Hunter to Early Urban Societies Gatherers (c. 16,000 300 bc), by Peter M. M. G. Akkermans and Glenn M. Schwartz. University Cambridge Cambridge: Press, 2004. xviii + 467 pp., 215 figures. Cloth. $110.00.
The Gatherers Archaeology to Early of Urban Syria: From Complex (ca. M. Hunter bc) is
theses,
accessible,
comprehensive sent until now. Akkermans choices field record. two mans
overview,
that was
conspicuously
and
Schwartz such
are
in same are
Syria time,
Societies
16,000-300 Schwartz
concentrates
by Peter M. M. G. Akkermans both an exhaustive introduction archaeologists, cellent outline and for students, reference
and Glenn
and complementary: divergent on while Schwartz's prehistory states. Their firsthand of knowledge outlined in this book
to the archaeology of Syria and an ex and laypersons tool for ancient Near East and
clearly otherwise be dry reading. might Unlike overviews, many strong textbook-style scholars has resulted ship by two complementary even treatment obvious across highlights of the history of are Akkermans'
adds much
author in a re
treatment 6 and
introduction and
in chron with Ak
across cal,
arranged chapters between the authors four and the substantive early last six
Instead
on ideologi is an emphasis chapters economic continuities through prehistory. the transitions for example, between, seeing
first
as major and Ubaid devel Halaf, periods or of Akkermans opments disruptions previous lifeways, as well as change to consider the reader urges continuity in conceptualizing the impetus behind these transitions. the Neolithic, At the same and time, Akkermans local development as the Halaf rightly emphasizes regional within the larger cultural and the Ubaid. Akkermans culture were 'cultures' do not nec also uni
such
points
mean states,
instead we should
intersecting
(p. 158).
Schwartz's concise summary Chalcolithic in
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68 BOOK REVIEWS
BASOR
341
articulated and Schwartz's clearly role in the Uruk divided expansion a much clearer understanding gains riod. Further, views of of Schwartz he has calls
discussion by
pe
northwest and
col emphasizing as new seeing succeeding periods developments, to combines and exogenous factors indigenous Mesopotamia.
in Cyprus: Past His Field Survey Archaeological of a Confer tory Future Potentials: Proceedings ence Held by the Archaeological Unit of Research 1-2 Maria December edited laco 2000, Cyprus, by vou. British School at Athens Studies 11. London: at Athens, British School 2004. 208 pp., 89 fig 1 unnumbered 10 tables. Cloth. ures, photograph, ?49.00. [Distributed In North America by The Da vid Brown Book Company]
Iacovou lative site cites and the impetus for this work failures" as the "cumu which have
states may have contrib how vestiges of former to the revival of urban societies during Syria's Middle Bronze also be noted that, unlike 9). It should Age (chapter traditional the data. ancient Instead treatments Near of East, of this and other is not once the Late Letters, Schwartz historic periods on textual in
landscape and
protection
emphasis
enumerating and his sons, in the Amarna for example, only which some
incessant
the Assyrian
kings,
ern
briefly summarizing it was created. This as a detriment, at the same a period that
development, especially, the tourism Iacovou industry. crete but less time demanding to compensate and information," for
apart from existing a fresh archaeological well-trodden An posed obvious by the historical
by studies
done
while of
view ground.
the rapid loss of potentially vital that de survey might suggests regional these mod into a "model of scientific for response" to the ancient remains was conference, (p. 11). This to explore intended the as compared with full exca of of ancient their settle
im this book has been facing and in the The is title, apparent publisher in the Cam the other books of Syria. As with is constrained this book series, Archaeology problem boundaries There are,
its published proceedings, of regional usefulness survey, vations, ments as a tool and land-use
destruction. This tions, consists monograph two unnumbered with and of 14 numbered
or geographic administrative, by the political, or geographic of a modern nation-state region. to be made for placing of course, arguments parameters 467 pages sues, book scope dealing outside cultural have of around in length. studies The such as this. The book
geographic is already
complexes, connections
is that many of the is problem in this and/or discussed peoples or relevance the with, beyond, do a good job of areas
designation. the conference's outlining origins, is a contribution the second by upon an and interview
The authors the present work. with this restriction by briefly the need of modern Syria when the scope of this book
with Hector Catling, recording of Cypriot survey. The numbered two categories: those that discuss itself of (nos. 2-10) in work
those
or ongoing survey work on Cyprus that offer ? comparative view of the Mediterranean (nos.
survey
less, widening
the
other
areas
have of northwestern Mesopotamia, might archaeology to define more the topics the authors license broadly given in doing in into larger trends discussed so, fit them and, it is, The Archae of the Middle East. As the archaeology con a difficult of Syria occupies especially position, an in of the the absence of "Archaeology Iraq" sidering the that series. It is reviewer's sincere this hope Cambridge ology publisher in a much is considering broader companion while volumes for the rest of
sessions held at the conference poster in the published volume. but not reproduced, interview with Cadogan's Catling provides new historiographie on the pioneers information Cypriot archaeology and their shaping of edge of the Cypriot archaeological contribution that of complements a valuable record. Cadogan,
the current
Hadjisavvas's providing a
insensitivity to historical geography imposed by modern political borders in theMiddle East. Bradley J. Parker University of Utah
bradley.j .parker@utah.edu
led to the drafting which management concerning heritage of a Survey the reestablishment of a resolution proposing
the text
heri
conference's
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