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The Ancient Indus: Urbanism, Economy, and Society
This early civilization was erased from human memory until 1924, when it was rediscovered and announced in the Illustrated London Times. Our understanding of the Indus has been partially advanced by textual sources from Mesopotamia that contain references to Meluhha, a land identified by cuneiform specialists as the Indus, with which the ancient Mesopotamians traded and engaged in battles. In this volume, Rita P. Wright uses both Mesopotamian texts but principally the results of archaeological excavations and surveys to draw a rich account of the Indus civilization’s well-planned cities, its sophisticated alterations to the landscape, and the complexities of its agrarian and craft-producing economy. She focuses principally on the social networks established between city and rural communities; farmers, pastoralists, and craft producers; and Indus merchants and traders and the symbolic imagery that the civilization shared with contemporary cultures in Iran, Mesopotamia, Central Asia, and the Persian Gulf region. Broadly comparative, her study emphasizes the interconnected nature of early societies.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2009
About the author
Rita P. Wright
4 books3 followersDr. Rita P. Wright is an anthropological archaeologist whose research engages early states and urbanism in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and India. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at New York University and is Assistant Director of the Harappa Archaeological Research Project and Director of the Beas Landscape and Settlement Survey near Harappa. Her specialties include ceramics, gender issues, urbanism and state level societies.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 30, 2014
Easy to read. Excellent amount of research is clear throughout. The subject is broken down into manageable segments and makes it easy to follow. I read it as part of my research for the Harappa series of books and found it extremely useful and full of information.
Highly recommended for anyone interesting in learning about the details of Indus Valley civilisation.
Highly recommended for anyone interesting in learning about the details of Indus Valley civilisation.
October 19, 2021
4/5 stars
Recommended for people who like: archeology, ancient societies, culture
Decent book, easy to understand. However, Wright tended to repeat herself a lot both within a single chapter and throughout the book.
Recommended for people who like: archeology, ancient societies, culture
Decent book, easy to understand. However, Wright tended to repeat herself a lot both within a single chapter and throughout the book.
November 3, 2012
Zeer helder boek over de 'Harappa-cultuur' een Indiase cultuur die haar hoogtepunt kende 2600-1900 voor Chr. Het is vreemd dat wij wel de beschavingen van Mesopotamië en Egypte kennen, maar dat deze maatschappij zo (vaak) vergeten wordt. Daar moet (volgens mij) wat aan gebeuren.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews