Archaeologies of the Middle East Critical Perspectives

Archaeology is a social practice that is thoroughly embedded in the contemporary world. This is nowhere clearer than in the Middle East, a region that is today an epicenter of political and economic tensions and ongoing conflicts. Archaeologies of the Middle East: Critical Perspectives provides an innovative introduction to the archaeology of this fascinating region, spanning 100,000 years from the Paleolithic to Hellenistic times, and a window on both its past and present. Archaeologies of the Middle East explores the connections between modern-day politics and the social context of archaeological practice and underutilized approaches to archaeological interpretation, such as: examining the ways in which scholars write about the past, the portrayal of archaeology in the news media, and the impacts of and on archaeology in volatile political situations. Written by some of the top archaeologists of the Middle East, this volume integrates scholars from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of interests and intellectual approaches to their research. Archaeologies of the Middle East is carefully designed for student use and focuses on key themes and time periods rather than offering a static overview of the history of the region.

Susan Pollock is Professor of Anthropology at Binghamton University, with a specialty in archaeology of the Middle East. She has conducted fieldwork in Iran, Turkey, and Iraq. Her research contributes to studies of political economy, ideology and representation, and archaeology in the media.

Reinhard Bernbeck is Associate Professor of Anthropology at Binghamton University. His specialty is the archaeology of the ancient Near East. He has directed and participated in field projects in Syria, Jordan, Turkey, and Iran. He is interested in historiography and theories of praxis and also remains committed to a historical materialist view of the past.