July 2014
Vol. 2, No. 7
Welcome to The Ancient Near East Today, Vol. II, No. 7! This month we move from the fall of the Bronze Age to today’s crisis in Syria, and points in between. Bill T. Arnold asks if we really need another Introduction to the Old Testament, while Assyriologist Diana Stein looks at the use of drugs in the ancient Near East.
Disaster is a theme for this issue. Syrian archaeologist Michel al-Maqdisi looks at the catastrophe befalling Syria’s archaeological sites and monuments, while Lamia Al-Gailani Werr reviews the impact of World War I on Iraqi archaeology. Rachel Hallote goes back to the collapse of the Bronze Age with a review of Eric Cline’s recent book, 1177 BC, while Michael Danti brings some good news from the Kurdish Regional Government. Finally, in our Friends of ASOR podcasts, we talk to two scholars about a new fragment of the Epic of Gilgamesh which changes our view of this ancient hero.
As always, we encourage you to send The Ancient Near East Today articles to family and friends, post links to Facebook and Twitter, and to be in touch with the editor. Remember, being a Friend of ASOR is free, so please spread the news!
Why Another Introduction to the Hebrew Bible?
By Bill T. Arnold
Cambridge University Press just released my new book, Introduction to the Old Testament. I am grateful to the editor of The ANE Today for the invitation to reflect on the question, “Why another Introduction to the Hebrew Bible?” With so many introductory textbooks available today, why add another now?
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Syrian Archaeology, ‘Scale of the Scandal’
By Michel Al-Maqdissi
The Syrian crisis has recently become noticeably more serious, and has turned into one of the most alarming situations in the Near East since the end of the Iraq War. The consequences to archaeology will be seen in the short and long term.
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World War I and Archaeology in Iraq
By Lamia Al Gailani Werr
It is ironic that I am writing this article on the centenary of the First World War, while Iraq today is suffering from turbulence that is partly the consequence of that war. Iraq was created by Britain out of the remains of three Ottoman provinces.
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Kurdish Heritage on the Fast Track
By Michael D. Danti
Following decades of quiescence, these are exciting times for archaeology in the KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government). And over the last four years, American archaeologists and cultural heritage experts have witnessed firsthand the rapid development of the cultural heritage situation in Iraqi Kurdistan.
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Psychedelics and the Ancient Near East
By Diana L. Stein
As courts today debate whether to legalize or regulate the use of drugs like cannabis, it is interesting to look at the history of man’s relationship with mind-altering substances. Several books, exhibits, and catalogues have recently explored the topic.
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The Ancient Near East Today features contributions from diverse academics, a forum featuring debates of current developments from the field, and links to news and resources. The ANE Today covers the entire Near East, and each issue presents discussions ranging from the state of biblical archaeology to archaeology after the Arab Spring.
