NMC369H1

Archaeology of Mesopotamia II: States and Empires

A comprehensive survey class on the archaeology of Mesopotamia during historic time periods (Sumer, Assyria, and Babylon; 2300 – 333 BC), covering the rise of the Akkadian Empire, the Neo-Sumerian “renaissance” of the Ur III State, Hammurapi’s Babylon, the Late Bronze Age under Kassite and Mittani rule, the rise and dominance of Assyria, and the splendor and fall of Babylon. This class will focus on the area of modern-day Iraq but also will consult materials from western Iran, eastern Syria, and southeastern Turkey.