Related Guides
Background Sources
- A Companion to the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East A comprehensive and authoritative overview of ancient material culture from the late Pleistocene to Late Antiquity.
- Archaeologies of the Middle East : Critical Perspectives Archaeologies of the Middle East provides an innovative introduction to the archaeology of this fascinating region and a window on both its past and present. Written by some of the top archaeologists of the Middle East: scholars from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of interests and intellectual approaches Coverage spans 100,000 years: from the Paleolithic to Hellenistic times
- Encyclopaedia Iranica This link opens in a new window A multi-disciplinary reference work and research tool designed to record the facts of Iranian history and civilization. A precisely documented reference work on the lands, life, culture and history of all Iranian peoples and their interaction with other societies.
- The Oxford Encyclopedia of Archaeology in the Near East This comprehensive work analyzes the archaeological and linguistic data that pertain to the broad cultural milieu of the ancient Near East, the crossroads of three of the world's most influential religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Ranging from prehistoric times up to the early centuries of the rise of Islam, the work covers the civilizations of Syria-Palestine, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Iran, Arabia, Cyprus, Egypt, and the coastal regions of North and East Africa.
- A Companion to the Ancient near East The new edition of the popular survey of Near Eastern civilization from the Bronze Age to the era of Alexander the Great A Companion to the Ancient Near East explores the history of the region from 4400 BCE to the Macedonian conquest of the Persian Empire in 330 BCE. Original and revised essays from a team of distinguished scholars from across disciplines address subjects including the politics, economics, architecture, and heritage of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt.
- A Companion to the Archaeology of Early Greece and the Mediterranean Presents an in-depth exploration of the society and material culture of Greece and the Mediterranean, from the 14th to the early 7th centuries BC. The two-volume companion sets Aegean developments within their broader geographic and cultural context, and presents the wide-ranging interactions with the Mediterranean. The companion bridges the gap that typically exists between Prehistoric and Classical Archaeology and examines material culture and social practice across Greece and the Mediterranean.
- Anatolian Atlas (Oriental Institute, University of Chicago) The Anatolian Atlas is a resource for scholars interested in the archaeological settlement patterns and historical geography of Ancient Anatolia.
Regional Databases
- Index Islamicus This link opens in a new window Index to literature on Islam, the Middle East and Muslim areas of Asia and Africa, and Muslim minorities elsewhere. Includes journal articless, conference proceedings, monographs, and book reviews.
Featured Films
- Inside the Middle East. Endangered archaeology (streaming, Academic Video Online) From mosaics to monuments, the archaeology of the Middle East and North Africa is exceptionally rich and diverse, but it is also under threat. Sites that have stood the test of time are now in a precarious situation due to conflict, climate change even tourism.
- Hanging gardens of Babylon (streaming, Academic Video Online) Millennia after its destruction, the city of Babylon remains a symbol of extravagance and wealth. Its most celebrated feature was one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’.The so-called ‘Hanging Gardens of Babylon’ astounded and perplexed observers.
- Robbing the Cradle of Civilization : the looting of Iraq's ancient treasures (streaming, Academic Video Online) It has been said that the first casualty of war is truth; the second casualty of war is history. Since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein by coalition forces the violence in that country has obscured its place in history as the seat of Western civilization. This documentary reminds us of the 7000 year old history of the land that was called Mesopotamia with its rich culture that lay buried, to be retrieved by archaeologists during the past two hundred years. The infamous looting of the Baghdad Museum after the fall of Baghdad is chronicled in this documentary.
- Ultimate explorer. Iraq's lost antiquities (streaming, Academic Video Online) National Geographic Ultimate Explorer host Lisa Ling journeys to war-torn Iraq to investigate what happened to one of the greatest archaeological treasures of all time. A National Geographic Explorer team, working with Iraqi and U.S. military authorities, has assisted in the recovery of one of the greatest archaeological treasure troves of all time. Compared by some experts to the discoveries in Tutankhamen tomb, the treasure of Nimrod--which dates from the eighth and ninth centuries B.C.--consists of over 100 pounds of solid gold jewelry, precious metals and other priceless artifacts, including a crown made from more than a kilogram of gold.
