Format:
xii, 232 Seiten
,
Illustrationen, Karten
,
26 cm
ISBN:
9781476679891
Content:
Introduction: The organic whole of human existence and the quality of life -- The life cycle of cultures -- Timeline -- Early achievements -- The wheel, the wagon and the chariot -- The economic foundations -- Settlement planning -- Architecture -- Social networking -- Religion and worldview -- Human activity between life and afterlife -- Specialized systems for communication -- Intellectual domains -- Art and aesthetics.
Content:
"Traditional scholarship on how ancient civilizations emerged is outmoded and new insights call for revision. According to the well-established paradigm, Mesopotamia is considered the cradle of civilization. Following the cliché of ex oriente lux ("light from the East") all major achievements of humankind spread from the Middle East. Modern archaeology, cultural science and historical linguistics indicate civilizations did not originate from a single prototype. Several models produced divergent patterns of advanced culture, developing both hierarchical and egalitarian societies. This study outlines a panorama of ancient civilizations, including the still little-known Danube civilization, now identified as the oldest advanced culture in Europe. In a comparative view, a new paradigm of research and a new cultural chronology of civilizations in the Old and New Worlds emerges, with climate change shown to be a continual influence on human lifeways"--
Note:
Includes bibliographical references and index
Additional Edition:
ISBN 9781476640754
Language:
English
Subjects:
History
Keywords:
Hochkultur
;
Kulturelle Entwicklung
Author information:
Haarmann, Harald 1946-
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