article

The genesis and collapse of third millennium north Mesopotamian civilization

Science261 • Published In 1993 • Pages: 995-1004

By: Weiss, Harvey, Courty, M. A. (Marie-Agnèstrom, Wilma, Guichard, F., Senior, L., Meadow, Richard H., Curnow, A..

Abstract
Weiss et al. describe the stratigraphy from excavations at Tell Leilan and Abu Hgeira in the Habur Plains in northeast Syria. They found evidence of a marked increase in aridity and wind circulation subseqeunt to a volcanic eruption, probably in Anatolia. The abrupt climate change led to the collapse of the Akkadian empire. Climatic disruption and collapses also occurred in the Aegean, Egypt, and the Indus. The climatic disruption lasted for 300 years so it may not have been soley a response to the volcanic eruption.
Subjects
Climate
Sociocultural trends
Settlement patterns
Cultural stratigraphy
Soil
tradition
Akkadian
HRAF PubDate
2009
Region
Middle East
Sub Region
Middle East
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry; 2008
Field Date
1989
Coverage Date
4600 BP-3900 BP(2600 BC-1900 BC)
Coverage Place
Habur Plain, Syria
Notes
H. Weiss, M.-A. Courty, W. Wetterstrom, F. Guichard, L. Senior, R. Meadow, A. Curnow
LCCN
17024346
LCSH
Akkadians