Archaeology, Anthropology and Cult: The Sanctuary at Gilat,Israel - Softcover

Levy, Thomas Evan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1138663859 ISBN 13: 9781138663855

Publisher: Routledge, 2016

Synopsis

The Chalcolithic period was formative in Near Eastern prehistory, being a time of fundamental social change in craft specialization, horticulture and temple life. Gilat - a low mound, semi-communal farming settlement in the Negev desert - is one of the few Chalcolithic sanctuary sites in the Southern Levant. 'Archaeology, Anthropology and Cult' presents a critical analysis of the archaeological data from Gilat. The book brings together archaeological finds and anthropological theory to examine the role of religion in the evolution of society and the power of ritual in promoting change. This comprehensive volume, which includes artefact drawings, photographs, maps and data tables, will be of interest to students and scholars of ancient history, anthropology, archaeology, as well as biblical and religious studies.

About this title

Review:

'The six-thousand-year old complex of buildings at Gilat, on the desert edge of the Fertile Crescent, raises important questions of how human societies were organized on the eve of urban life. The elaboration of material culture at this and related sites can only be understood in the dual context of environmental constraints and equally strong systems of belief. Tom Levy has brought together not just a highly professional scientific report but also a sustained anthropological investigation. This is both a report to refer to and a volume to read for its ideas.' --Andrew Sherratt, Professor of Archaeology, University of Oxford

'A hallmark in the study of the Levantine Chalcolithic...This volume will become standard reading for those interested in the Chalcolithic period, early religion, archaeological method and theory, and anthropological and ethnographic studies.' --American Journal of Archaeology

'A hallmark in the study of the Levantine Chalcolithic...This volume will become standard reading for those interested in the Chalcolithic period, early religion, archaeological method and theory, and anthropological and ethnographic studies.' --American Journal of Archaeology

About the Author:

Thomas E. Levy is Professor of Anthropology and Judaic Studies at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Formerly, the Assistant Director of the W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research (one of the American Schools of Oriental Research) and the Nelson Glueck School of Biblical Archaeology of the Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem, he joined the UCSD faculty in 1992.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1138663859
• ISBN 13: 9781138663855
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 886