Peoples of the distant past lived comfortably in cities that boasted well-conceived urban planning, monumental architecture, running water, artistic expression, knowledge of mathematics and medicine, and more. Without the benefits of modern technology, they enjoyed all the accoutrements of modern civilization.
Technology of the Ancient Near East brings together in a single volume what is known about the technology behind these acheivements, based on the archaeological, textual, historic, and scientific data drawn from a wide range of sources, focusing on subjects such as warfare, construction, metallurgy, ceramics and glass, water management, and time keeping. These technologies are discussed within the cultural, historic, and socio-economic contexts within which they were invented and the book emphasises these as the foundation upon which modern technology is based. In so doing, this study elucidates the ingenuity of ancient minds, offering an invaluable introduction for students of ancient technology and science.
**
Review "In this conversationally engaging volume, Baker has deftly collected the many materials, machines, and technological applications that defined and enriched the lives of those dwelling in the Ancient Near East into the Roman Era. Based firmly on a wide array of literary, artistic, and archaeological sources, Technology of the Ancient Near East provides an essential piece of the puzzle of the society, culture, and history of the region, and it fills a longstanding gap on the bookshelves of all who are interested in the history of technology, ideas, and the human quest to manipulate the natural world."
Georgia Irby, The College of William and Mary, USA
About the Author
Jill L. Baker is an Independent Researcher in Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology and a Faculty Fellow (adjunct) in the Honors College at Florida International University, USA. She is the author of The Funeral Kit: Mortuary Practices in the Archaeological Record and co-author of The Greensboro Blockhouse Project: An Historical and Archaeological Investigation in Greensboro, Vermont .

motw/Technology of the Ancient Near - Jill Baker.epub

motw/Technology of the Ancient Near - Jill Baker.pdf

Baker, Jill L.

Garland Publishing, Incorporated

Taylor & Francis Group

United States, United States of America

London, 2018

1, 2018

producers:
Acrobat Distiller 9.0.0 (Windows)

Memory of the World Librarian: outernationale

Peoples of the distant past lived comfortably in cities that boasted well-conceived urban planning, monumental architecture, running water, artistic expression, knowledge of mathematics and medicine and more. Without the benefits of modern technology, they enjoyed all the accoutrements of modern civilization. This work brings together in a single volume what is known about the technology of the ancient Near East based on the archaeological, textual, historic, and scientific data drawn from a wide range of sources, focusing on subjects such as warfare, construction, metallurgy, ceramics and glass, water management, and time keeping. These technologies are discussed within the cultural, historic and socio-economic contexts within which they were invented and emphasises these as the foundation upon which modern technology is based. In so doing, this study elucidates the ingenuity of ancient minds, offering an invaluable introduction for students of ancient technology and science.

Cover 1
Half title 2
Title page 4
Copyright page 5
Contents 6
Figures 8
Acknowledgements 11
Maps 12
1 Introduction 16
2 Early technologies 27
3 Stone 33
4 Wood 43
5 Metals 49
6 Bonding agents 63
7 Engineering, machines, power, and energy 75
8 Construction 97
9 Warfare 119
10 Textiles 139
11 Ceramic and glass technology 158
12 Water management and technology 170
13 Medicine 188
14 Daily life 209
15 Transportation 231
16 Timekeeping 253
17 Food as technology 266
18 Writing, arts, weights, measures, and currency 289
19 Summary and discussion 300
Bibliography 310
Index 337

Introduction -- Early Technologies -- Stone -- Wood -- Metals -- Bonding Agents: Glue, Plaster, Mortar, Cement, Bitumen -- Engineering, Machines, Power, And Energy -- Construction -- Warfare -- Textiles -- Ceramic And Glass Technology -- Water Management And Technology -- Medicine -- Daily Life -- Transportation -- Timekeeping -- Food As Technology -- Writing/arts, Weights/measures, And Currency -- Summary And Discussion

2025-10-27