The Sumerian World

"[T]he last part of the volume deals with the impact the Sumerians had on their neighbours. This is a fascinating section, and one that does not disappoint ... this book can be considered essential reading for anyone interested in the ancient world."

- Minerva: The International Review of Ancient Art & Archaeology

"An impressive work that is a godsend for everyone and anyone seeking to understand Sumerian culture."

- Antike Welt, Zeitschrift für Archäologie und Kulturgeschichte

"Coming at a crucial time for the archaeology of Iraq, The Sumerian World breathes new life into the study of the earliest known urban civilization. Its chapters combine the best of established scholarship with fresh perspectives from a new generation of experts. Especially impressive is its broad definition of the ‘Sumerian world’ as encompassing relations with neighboring cultures and societies, a refreshing departure from the more inward-looking approaches of the past. This skillfully crafted volume will be required reading for students and researchers of the ancient world, and also for art historians and archaeologists with an interest in this formative period of world history."

- David Wengrow, Professor of Comparative Archaeology, University College London, UK

"This magnificent volume, written by an impressive group of scholars—both senior and up-and-coming—shows that knowledge of ancient Mesopotamia has not only been maintained, it continues to grow. Far more than a summary of scholarly consensus, this volume presents significant new insights into the cities and landscapes of Sumer and the trade relationships with the areas and cultures that were its neighbors. The volume’s discussions of city plans, art, cuneiform texts, cultural traditions, administrative systems, and satellite images showing natural landscapes present a rich and authoritative view of this ancient civilization. Like any volume of this scale, students and scholars will learn a great deal at the same time as they find challenging ideas to debate. When Iraq is once again accessible to archaeological and historical research, this volume will provide a significant starting point for new generations of scholarship. In the meantime, it is the state of the art in Sumerian studies."

- Geoff Emberling, University of Michigan, USA

"The renowned archaeologist Harriet Crawford has gathered 32 specialists on the history, archaeology and languages of early Mesopotamia who approach the 'Sumerian Problem' from different angles, succeeding to present a colorful and comprehensive picture of the present state of knowledge on the Sumerians. Anyone interested in the early history of Mesopotamia will find here competent answers to many open questions."

– Hans Nissen, Freie Universität Berlin (emeritus), Germany

"The clarity of writing and up-to-the-minute research make it [The Sumerian World] compelling for anyone fascinated by the oldest recordered Mesopotamian civilisation."

- James McCall, World Archaeology

"This may well be the definitive volume on the Sumerians, inhabitants of Mesopotamia (the land between the rivers) during the third millennium BCE.... The book includes much new material, despite the difficulties involved in working in Iraq in recent decades. Remote sensing techniques have played a large role, as have reexaminations of the role of women and the use of space in settlements and houses. Work in neighboring countries, such as Syria and Iran, has also shed light on the Sumerians and their world, placing it in a larger global context. Summing Up: Essential."

- E. H Cline, George Washington University, USA, CHOICE Reviews

"This will be a good place to start for anyone wanting to follow up on practically any aspect of ancient Sumer."

- Lester L. Grabbe, University of Hull (emeritus), UK, Journal for the Society of the Old Testament