Archaeologies of the Middle East: Critical Perspectives

Archaeology is a social practice that is thoroughly embedded in the contemporary world. This is nowhere clearer than in the Middle East, a region that is today an epicenter of political and economic tensions and ongoing conflicts. Archaeologies of the Middle East: Critical Perspectives provides an innovative introduction to the archaeology of this fascinating region, spanning 100,000 years from the Paleolithic to Hellenistic times, and a window on both its past and present.

Archaeologies of the Middle East explores the connections between modern–day politics and the social context of archaeological practice and underutilized approaches to archaeological interpretation, such as: examining the ways in which scholars write about the past, the portrayal of archaeology in the news media, and the impacts of and on archaeology in volatile political situations. Written by some of the top archaeologists of the Middle East, this volume integrates scholars from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of interests and intellectual approaches to their research. Archaeologies of the Middle East is carefully designed for student use and focuses on key themes and time periods rather than offering a static overview of the history of the region.

List of Figures.

List of Tables.

List of Contributors.

Series Editors′ Preface.

Acknowledgments.

1. Introduction: Susan Pollock and Reinhard Bernbeck (Binghamton University, SUNY; Binghamton University, SUNY).

2. A Cultural–Historical Framework: Reinhard Bernbeck and Susan Pollock.

Part I: Producing and Disseminating Knowledge About the Ancient Near East: Reinhard Bernbeck and Susan Pollock.

3. Who Has Not Eaten Cherries with the Devil? Archaeology under Challenge: Caroline Steele (Independent Scholar).

4. Archaeology and Nationalism in the Holy Land: Adel Yahya (Palestinian Association for Cultural Exchange).

5. Archaeology Goes to War at the Newstand: Susan Pollock.

6. The Past as Fact and Fiction: From Historical Novels to Novel Histories: Reinhard Bernbeck.

Part II: Reassessing Evolutionary Firsts : Reinhard Bernbeck and Susan Pollock.

7. Bleeding or Breeding: Neandertals vs. Early Modern Humans in the Middle Paleolithic Levant : John Shea (Stony Brook University, SUNY).

8. Lumps of Clay and Pieces of Stone: Ambiguity, Bodies, and Identity as Portrayed in Neolithic Figurines: Ian Kuijt and Meredith Chesson (University of Notre Dame; University of Notre Dame).

9. The State: The Process of State Formation as Seen from Mesopotamia: Jean–Daniel Forest (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris).

10. Archaeology, Bible, and the History of the Levant in the Iron Age: Israel Finkelstein (Institute of Archaeology, Tel Aviv University).

11. Imperialism: Mario Liverani (University of Rome).

Part III: Constructing Arguments, Understanding Perceptions: Reinhard Bernbeck and Susan Pollock.

12. Ethnoarchaeology, Analogy, and Ancient Society: Marc Verhoeven (University Museum, University of Tokyo).

13. The Ancient Sumerians in the Tides of Time: Petr Charvát (Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and Charles University, Prague).

14. Reliquaries on the Landscape: Mounds as Matrices of Human Cognition: Sharon Steadman (SUNY Cortland).

15. Archaeology and Texts in the Ancient Near East: Paul Zimansky (Boston University).

16. Representations, Reality, and Ideology: Jennifer Ross (Hood College).

Index

Susan Pollock is Professor of Anthropology at Binghamton University, with a specialty in archaeology of the Middle East. She has conducted fieldwork in Iran, Turkey, and Iraq. Her research contributes to studies of political economy, ideology and representation, and archaeology in the media.

Reinhard Bernbeck is Associate Professor of Anthropology at Binghamton University. His specialty is the archaeology of the ancient Near East. He has directed and participated in field projects in Syria, Jordan, Turkey, and Iran. He is interested in historiography and theories of praxis and also remains committed to a historical materialist view of the past.

"The practices and interpretations of archaeology are political and this is nowhere more relevant today than in the Middle East. This remarkable collection investigates multiple aspects of this issue. Every student of the discipline of archaeology should read this book." Marc van de Mieroop, Columbia University

"Drawing on their own impressive backgrounds, Pollock and Bernbeck have assembled a diverse group of experts to explore significant issues in Middle Eastern archaeology. Avoiding conventional and outdated arguments, this volume is an important addition to the provocation Blackwell Studies in Global Archaeology series." Sandra Scham, Editor, Near Eastern Archaeology

"In recognizing and exploring the important relationship between Middle Eastern archaeology and politics, Pollock and Bernbeck, with a notable group of contributors, open new roads of scholarship and understanding." Hans Nissen, The Free University of Berlin