Before Writing, Vol. II: A Catalog of Near Eastern Tokens by Denise Schmandt-Bes

Description: Before Writing, Vol. II by Denise Schmandt-Besserat In this volume, Schmandt-Besserat presents the primary data on which she bases her theories of the development of writing. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Before Writing gives a new perspective on the evolution of communication. It points out that when writing began in Mesopotamia it was not, as previously thought, a sudden and spontaneous invention. Instead, it was the outgrowth of many thousands of years worth of experience at manipulating symbols.In Volume I: From Counting to Cuneiform, Denise Schmandt-Besserat describes how in about 8000 B.C., coinciding with the rise of agriculture, a system of counters, or tokens, appeared in the Near East. These tokens-small, geometrically shaped objects made of clay-represented various units of goods and were used to count and account for them. The token system was a breakthrough in data processing and communication that ultimately led to the invention of writing about 3100 B.C. Through a study of archaeological and epigraphic evidence, Schmandt-Besserat traces how the Sumerian cuneiform script, the first writing system, emerged from a counting device.In Volume II: A Catalog of Near Eastern Tokens, Schmandt-Besserat presents the primary data on which she bases her theories. These data consist of several thousand tokens, catalogued by country, archaeological site, and token types and subtypes. The information also includes the chronology, stratigraphy, museum ownership, accession or field number, references to previous publications, material, and size of the artifacts. Line drawings and photographs illustrate the various token types. Notes In this volume, Schmandt-Besserat presents the primary data on which she bases her theories of the development of writing. Author Biography Denise Schmandt-Besserat is Professor Emerita of Art and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Table of Contents Introduction Country Archaeological Sites Types Descriptive Features Museums References Drawings and Photographs Photographic Catalog of Tokens Catalog Index Part I: Iran Part II: Iraq Part III: Syria Part IV: Turkey Part V: Palestine Review "...possibly the single most important contribution published in recent years concerned with the antecedents to writing." oLibraries and Culture "Schmandt-Besserats discovery and its ramifications ... are crucial to understanding the development of civilization... This is a thought-provoking book, beautifully produced, and what it tells us is of great importance." oTimes Literary Supplement "What shines here is the human mind, spinning a tight web of inference from abundant evidence." oScientific American Promotional In this volume, Schmandt-Besserat presents the primary data on which she bases her theories of the development of writing. Long Description Before Writing gives a new perspective on the evolution of communication. It points out that when writing began in Mesopotamia it was not, as previously thought, a sudden and spontaneous invention. Instead, it was the outgrowth of many thousands of years worth of experience at manipulating symbols. In Volume I: From Counting to Cuneiform, Denise Schmandt-Besserat describes how in about 8000 B.C., coinciding with the rise of agriculture, a system of counters, or tokens, appeared in the Near East. These tokens--small, geometrically shaped objects made of clay--represented various units of goods and were used to count and account for them. The token system was a breakthrough in data processing and communication that ultimately led to the invention of writing about 3100 B.C. Through a study of archaeological and epigraphic evidence, Schmandt-Besserat traces how the Sumerian cuneiform script, the first writing system, emerged from a counting device. In Volume II: A Catalog of Near Eastern Tokens, Schmandt-Besserat presents the primary data on which she bases her theories. These data consist of several thousand tokens, catalogued by country, archaeological site, and token types and subtypes. The information also includes the chronology, stratigraphy, museum ownership, accession or field number, references to previous publications, material, and size of the artifacts. Line drawings and photographs illustrate the various token types. Review Quote "...possibly the single most important contribution published in recent years concerned with the antecedents to writing."-Libraries and Culture "Schmandt-Besserats discovery and its ramifications . . . are crucial to understanding the development of civilization.... This is a thought-provoking book, beautifully produced, and what it tells us is of great importance."-Times Literary Supplement "What shines here is the human mind, spinning a tight web of inference from abundant evidence."-Scientific American Details ISBN0292726708 ISBN-10 0292726708 ISBN-13 9780292726703 Format Paperback Language English Media Book Pages 452 Imprint University of Texas Press Subtitle A Catalog of Near Eastern Tokens Place of Publication Austin, TX Country of Publication United States DEWEY 737.30956 Short Title BEFORE WRITING VOL II Illustrations illus. AU Release Date 1992-07-01 NZ Release Date 1992-07-01 US Release Date 1992-07-01 Year 1992 Publication Date 1992-07-01 UK Release Date 1992-07-01 Author Denise Schmandt-Besserat Publisher University of Texas Press Audience Professional & Vocational We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:40248670;

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