Early Mesopotamia: society and economy at the dawn of history

Postgate, J. N.

Book

Early Mesopotamia: society and economy at the dawn of history

Routledge • London • Published In 1992 • Pages:

By: Postgate, J. N..

Abstract
Postgate discusses Mesopotamia from the Halaf/Ubaid period starting around 5000 B.C. through to the end of the Old Babylonian period around 1500 B.C. (7000 B.P. to 3500 B.P)., but the main emphasis is Mesopotamia from 3000 B.C. to 1500 B.C. (5000 B.P. to 3500 B.P.). The area discussed covers the land from the mouth of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers at the Persian Gulf upstream to Turkey and into the Diyala and Hamrin valleys. Only the information pertaining to the Early Dynastic period or the data that probably pertain to the Early Dynastic period were marked for Outline of Cultural Materials (OCM) codes. As several time periods may be discussed in one paragraph the reader should use caution when reading or using this source. Two tables may help: the dates for the different time periods are listed on page 22 and the dates for many of the rulers and dynasties can be found on page 39. Postgate wrote this book as an introduction to Mesopotamia, an early state society, for both the general reader and the begining student. As such, this book provides an extensive overview of that society and covers the full range of subjects from households to urbanization and cities, from temple and palace politics to village level cooperative projects, from writing to international trade, from farming to diet, etc. Portions from many translated Sumerian texts will be found throughout this book.

Topography and geology

Labor supply and employment

Wages and salaries

Slavery