The Southern Transjordan Edomite Plateau and the Dead Sea Rift Valley

The Bronze Age to the Islamic Period (3800/3700 BC–AD 1917)

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Archaeology, Religion & Spirituality, Middle East Religions, Islam, History, Ancient History
Cover of the book The Southern Transjordan Edomite Plateau and the Dead Sea Rift Valley by Burton MacDonald, Oxbow Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Burton MacDonald ISBN: 9781782978336
Publisher: Oxbow Books Publication: March 12, 2015
Imprint: Oxbow Books Language: English
Author: Burton MacDonald
ISBN: 9781782978336
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Publication: March 12, 2015
Imprint: Oxbow Books
Language: English

Burton MacDonald presents an in-depth study of the archaeology and history of human presence over the past five-six thousand years in the southern segment of the Transjordan/Edomite Plateau and the Dead Sea Rift Valley to the west. The evidence from archaeology for the area spans the entire period though the time for which literary evidence is available is only the past 4000 years, from the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1550 BC). Once literary evidence is available, however, it complements the archaeological record and, as can be amply demonstrated, the written records can be clarified only through the archaeological data. These two sources are, thus, used to describe environments, resources, industries, settlement patterns, and the lifestyles of the inhabitants of this pivotal region. The result is a “story” of the people who lived in the area from the Bronze Age through the Islamic period.

What is evident is that there were differences in certain archaeological periods in settlement patterns, as well as lifestyles, between those who lived on the southern segment of the Plateau and those who lived in the Dead Sea Rift Valley or in the lowlands immediately to the west. Moreover, it is obvious that when there were periods of trade and industry, for example, the spice trade and copper mining and processing, the population of the area was higher. Stable governance brought about growth in population and prosperity. But other factors also played their part in these ebbs and flows of population: climatic fluctuations affecting the availability of water and arable land; the development and adoption of new technologies in farming practices, raw material extraction and industrial methods, processes and transportation; and political change resulting in periods of relative stability and instability in government.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Burton MacDonald presents an in-depth study of the archaeology and history of human presence over the past five-six thousand years in the southern segment of the Transjordan/Edomite Plateau and the Dead Sea Rift Valley to the west. The evidence from archaeology for the area spans the entire period though the time for which literary evidence is available is only the past 4000 years, from the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1550 BC). Once literary evidence is available, however, it complements the archaeological record and, as can be amply demonstrated, the written records can be clarified only through the archaeological data. These two sources are, thus, used to describe environments, resources, industries, settlement patterns, and the lifestyles of the inhabitants of this pivotal region. The result is a “story” of the people who lived in the area from the Bronze Age through the Islamic period.

What is evident is that there were differences in certain archaeological periods in settlement patterns, as well as lifestyles, between those who lived on the southern segment of the Plateau and those who lived in the Dead Sea Rift Valley or in the lowlands immediately to the west. Moreover, it is obvious that when there were periods of trade and industry, for example, the spice trade and copper mining and processing, the population of the area was higher. Stable governance brought about growth in population and prosperity. But other factors also played their part in these ebbs and flows of population: climatic fluctuations affecting the availability of water and arable land; the development and adoption of new technologies in farming practices, raw material extraction and industrial methods, processes and transportation; and political change resulting in periods of relative stability and instability in government.

More books from Oxbow Books

Cover of the book Moving on in Neolithic Studies by Burton MacDonald
Cover of the book Not Just for Show by Burton MacDonald
Cover of the book Molluscs in Archaeology by Burton MacDonald
Cover of the book Bosworth 1485 by Burton MacDonald
Cover of the book Puspika: Tracing Ancient India Through Texts and Traditions by Burton MacDonald
Cover of the book Understanding Relations Between Scripts by Burton MacDonald
Cover of the book Ancient Fortifications by Burton MacDonald
Cover of the book Breaking and Shaping Beastly Bodies by Burton MacDonald
Cover of the book Current Research in Egyptology 2007 by Burton MacDonald
Cover of the book Trends in Biological Anthropology. Volume 2 by Burton MacDonald
Cover of the book Wild Harvest by Burton MacDonald
Cover of the book Exploring Prehistoric Identity in Europe by Burton MacDonald
Cover of the book Puṣpikā: Tracing Ancient India Through Texts and Traditions by Burton MacDonald
Cover of the book KOINE by Burton MacDonald
Cover of the book Understanding Ancient Fortifications by Burton MacDonald
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy