Items related to Before Writing, Vol. I: From Counting to Cuneiform:...
Synopsis
A fascinating book on the origins of writing.
Before Writing gives a new perspective on the evolution of communication. It points out that when writing began in Mesopotamia it was not, as previously thought, a sudden and spontaneous invention. Instead, it was the outgrowth of many thousands of years' worth of experience at manipulating symbols.
In Volume I: From Counting to Cuneiform, Denise Schmandt-Besserat describes how in about 8000 B.C., coinciding with the rise of agriculture, a system of counters, or tokens, appeared in the Near East. These tokens—small, geometrically shaped objects made of clay—represented various units of goods and were used to count and account for them. The token system was a breakthrough in data processing and communication that ultimately led to the invention of writing about 3100 B.C. Through a study of archaeological and epigraphic evidence, Schmandt-Besserat traces how the Sumerian cuneiform script, the first writing system, emerged from a counting device.
In Volume II: A Catalog of Near Eastern Tokens, Schmandt-Besserat presents the primary data on which she bases her theories. These data consist of several thousand tokens, catalogued by country, archaeological site, and token types and subtypes. The information also includes the chronology, stratigraphy, museum ownership, accession or field number, references to previous publications, material, and size of the artifacts. Line drawings and photographs illustrate the various token types.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Denise Schmandt-Besserat is Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Search results for Before Writing, Vol. I: From Counting to Cuneiform:...
Stock Image
Before Writing: Volume 1: From Counting to Cuneiform
Published by
University of Texas Press, 1992
ISBN 10: 0292707835
ISBN 13: 9780292707832
Used
Hardcover
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00107806814
Seller Image
Before Writing: Volume 1: From Counting to Cuneiform
Published by
University of Texas Press, 1992
ISBN 10: 0292707835
ISBN 13: 9780292707832
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Zoom Books Company, Lynden, WA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: very_good. Book is in very good condition and may include minimal underlining highlighting. The book can also include "From the library of" labels. May not contain miscellaneous items toys, dvds, etc. . We offer 100% money back guarantee and 24 7 customer service. Seller Inventory # ZBV.0292707835.VG
Seller Image
Before Writing: Volume 1: From Counting to Cuneiform
Published by
University of Texas Press, 1992
ISBN 10: 0292707835
ISBN 13: 9780292707832
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Blue Vase Books, Interlochen, MI, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: acceptable. The item is very worn but is perfectly usable. Signs of wear can include aesthetic issues such as scratches, dents, worn and creased covers, folded page corners and minor liquid stains. All pages and the cover are intact, but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include moderate to heavy amount of notes and highlighting, but the text is not obscured or unreadable. Page edges may have foxing age related spots and browning . May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials. Seller Inventory # BVV.0292707835.A
Stock Image
Before Writing: Volume 1: From Counting to Cuneiform
Published by
University of Texas Press, 1992
ISBN 10: 0292707835
ISBN 13: 9780292707832
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Books From California, Simi Valley, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Seller Inventory # mon0004222563
Stock Image
Before Writing: Volume 1: From Counting to Cuneiform
Published by
University of Texas Press, 1992
ISBN 10: 0292707835
ISBN 13: 9780292707832
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Tsunami Books, Eugene, OR, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. Hardcover with dust jacket. Black cloth over boards, gilt text on spine. Clean, square copy. Text and images unmarked. Hint of shelf wear. tbrc/meta. Seller Inventory # ABE-1778369692779
Stock Image
Before Writing Vol. I, From Counting to Cuneiform.
Published by
University of Texas Press, 1992
ISBN 10: 0292707835
ISBN 13: 9780292707832
Used
Hardcover
Seller: N. Fagin Books, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
1992. Middle East, Classical studies. University of Texas Press. 269p., very good cloth, the dust jacket has a closed cut/scuff at the lower front edge (cuts bit of author's name). Seller Inventory # 23878
Stock Image
Before Writing: Volume 1: from Counting to Cuneiform
Published by
University Of Texas Press, Austin, 1992
ISBN 10: 0292707835
ISBN 13: 9780292707832
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: KULTURAs books, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. Hardcover in dust jacket. 4to. First printing. Book is As New in black cloth boards. Dust jacket is also As New, crisp and fresh, with one eighth-inch tear at top. Foreword by William W. Hallo. Illustrated throughout with charts, drawings, and photos. 269 pp. In protective Mylar. Heavy--may require additional postage if shipped other than domestic media mail. Seller Inventory # 72863
Seller Image
Before Writing: ; Volume 1: from Counting to Cuneiform
Published by
University of Texas Press, Austin, TX, 1992
ISBN 10: 0292707835
ISBN 13: 9780292707832
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Cider Creek Books, Newark, NJ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. First Edition; First Printing. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1992. 4to. 1st edition, 1st printing. Xviii + [274] pp. Printed black cloth, sharp corners, price sticker/penciled inside front cover & ffep. Dust jacket 1/4 inch tear. Pages: clean, white, as new.; 4to 11" - 13" tall; 292 pages. Seller Inventory # 27423
Stock Image
Before Writing, Vol. I: From Counting to Cuneiform
Published by
University of Texas Press May 1992, 1992
ISBN 10: 0292707835
ISBN 13: 9780292707832
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Caspian Books, Tracy, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Seller Inventory # 245659
Stock Image
BEFORE WRITING VOLUME 1 FROM COUNTING TO CUNEIFORM
Published by
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS PRESS, AUSTIN TX, 1992
ISBN 10: 0292707835
ISBN 13: 9780292707832
Used
Hardcover
Seller: ARD Books, Cleveland, OH, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. PHOTOS (illustrator). STATED FIRST. A CLEAN CRISP COPY WITH A COPY OF BOOK REVIEW DONE FOR TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE LAID IN A LOOK AT THE USE OF TOKENS USED TO COMMUNICATE GOING BACK 8,000 YEARS IN A BRIGHT CLEAN JACKET UNCLIPPED AND UNRIPPED SEVERAL TINY LIGHT PENCIL MARKS OTHERWISE LIKE NEW. Seller Inventory # 005306