The Ancient Near Eastern World

What do the wheel, the law, and belief in a single god have in common? Allof these ideas first came to people who lived in the ancient Near East. As ifthese revolutionary developments weren't enough to make a mark on world history,these ancient innovators also came up with the most fantastic invention ofall-writing. The Ancient Near Eastern World is filled with the scribes, potters,sculptors, architects, schoolchildren, lawmakers, kings, queens, farmers, andpriests who designed and created that world.The World in Ancient Times dusts off ancient artifacts and texts and assemblesthem anew as pieces of the never-ending puzzle we call ancient history. Readersbecome part of the process of historical investigation as they explore theseprimary sources, learning not just what we know but how we know it. Accomplishedhistorical novelists collaborate with leading historians and archaeologists toweave the most up-to-date scholarship into stories that are vivid, suspenseful,and fun.Grades 6-8

Amanda H. Podany is Professor of history and director of the honors program at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She is the author ofThe Land of Hana: Kings, Chronology, and Scribal Tradition (CDL Press, 2002).
Marni McGee is the author ofThe Ancient Roman World (OUP, 2003), Forest Child (Green Tiger, 1995),The Quiet Farmer (Atheneum, 1991), andDiego Columbus: Adventures on the High Seas (Revell, 1992).