Ancient Complex Societies

Through a detailed examination of the archaeological evidence and written records, this comprehensive text aims to develop a common understanding of what complexity means to archaeologists, and the methods by which they identify and analyze it. In this first new undergraduate textbook on ancient complex societies in two decades, the authors use vivid writing, text boxes on key themes and sites, and a glossary to keep students thoroughly engaged. The authors define the common characteristics of complex societies and archaeological debates over its meaning by-emphasizing the environmental, historical, and socioeconomic conditions leading to the development of complexity around the globe;-presenting comprehensive case studies of nine complex societies regularly covered in these courses, including the Near East, Mediterranean, East and South Asia, and the Americas;-examining the reasons why complex societies ultimately collapse.

Jennifer C. Ross is a Professor of Art & Archaeology at Hood College in Frederick, MD. She is the Associate Director of the Cadir Hoyuk excavations and has published on topics ranging from the invention of cuneiform to metallurgical technologies in the ancient Near East.

Sharon R. Steadman is a Professor of Anthropology at the State University of New York College at Cortland.? She has published on the subjects of ancient religions in archaeological context, the archaeology of architecture, and edited several volumes on the archaeology of Anatolia.