The First Civilisations - The Archaeology of Their Origins (Paperback, New edition)

Writing is a comparatively recent phenomenon in the development of civilisation. Evidence of earliest writing, in the form of cuneiform and pictographs, is dated at about 3000 BC - a mere 5000 years ago. In this erudite and well-researched book Dr Glyn Daniel argues that the richest source of knowledge of the first civilisations must therefore be drawn from archaeology. Examining prehistoric civilisations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China of the old world, then turning to the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas of the new, Dr Daniel emphasises the relevance of what he terms 'the paraphernalia of the past' - monuments, buildings, statues, figurines, tablets, etc. In fact, at the time of its rapid destruction by the Spanish in 1533, the Incan civilisation had developed no written language at all, a fact which further emphasises the importance of archaeology. Embellished with maps of the areas under discussion as well as photographs of buildings and artefacts, this book is very illuminating. (Kirkus UK)

By analysing what Francis Bacon termed 'remnants of history which have casually escaped the shipwreck of time' Glyn Daniel describes the first civilizations from times of savagery and barbarism to the Sumerians, Egyptians, Chinese and Ancient Americans from 4000 BC to 1500 AD. Did these civilizations develop from one centre and the process of civilization take place once, and once only, in human history, or did it occur independently in different parts of the world? Were these civilizations linked in any way? These and other questions are discussed by Dr Glyn Daniel in this classic account of the civilizations of the ancient world.

General

Imprint:	Weidenfeld & Nicolson History
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	December 2003
Authors:	Glyn Daniel
Dimensions:	216 x 137 x 21mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback - Trade
Pages:	174
Edition:	New edition
ISBN-13:	978-1-84212-500-7
Categories:	Books > Humanities > Archaeology > General Books > Humanities > History > World history > BCE to 500 CE Books > Humanities > History > American history > Pre-Columbian period, BCE to 1500 Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Anthropology > Social & cultural anthropology > General Books > History > American history > Pre-Columbian period, BCE to 1500 Books > History > World history > BCE to 500 CE Promotions
LSN:	1-84212-500-1
Barcode:	9781842125007

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