NES 3664 - [Origins of Mesopotamian Civilization]

(crosslisted)
(also ARKEO 3664, JWST 3664)(GHB) (HA-AS)

Spring. 4 credits.

Next offered 2014-2015. Co-meets with JWST 6664/NES 6664.

D. I. Owen.

Introduction to the language, literature, history, culture, and archaeology of Syro-Mesopotamia in the fourth and third millennia bce. Focuses on Sumerian civilization from its emergence in the archaeological record in the fourth millennium until its disappearance around 2000 bce In addition, it emphasizes the parallel development of the Semitic peoples in Syria (Eblaites) and upper Mesopotamia (Akkadians). A special feature of the course is a basic introduction to the Sumerian language using original cuneiform tablets in the collection of the Department of Near Eastern Studies.