ARCANE Project
Published Regional Volumes

JEZIRAH

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Associated Regional Chronologies for the Ancient Near East
and the Eastern Mediterranean, Vol. I: Jezirah

M. Lebeau (ed.)
VIII+442 p., 162 b/w ill., 210 x 295 mm, 2011;
ISBN: 978-2-503-53492-3;
Languages: English; Paperback

Table of Contents: Introduction (M. Lebeau), Stratigraphy (Ph. Quenet),
Pottery (E. Rova), Urbanisation & City Planning (J.-W. Meyer),
Architecture (P. Pfälzner), Metal (A. Bianchi & K. Franke),
Figurines (A. Pruß), Lithics & Stone Industry (J. Thomalsky),
Burials & Funerary practices (S. Valentini), Glyptic (A. McCarthy),
Radiocarbon (L. Ristvet), History & Philology (W. Sallaberger),
Conclusion (M. Lebeau)

CYPRUS

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Associated Regional Chronologies for the Ancient Near East
and the Eastern Mediterranean, Vol. II: Cyprus

E. Peltenburg (ed.)
X+375 p., 400 b/w ill., 210 x 295 mm, 2013;
ISBN: 978-2-503-53498-5;
Languages: English; Paperback

Short Description: During the 3rd millennium BC, Cyprus became deeply involved with the Ancient Near East and with other parts of the East Mediterranean for the first time since the island was colonised. This included the likely migration of peoples from the East Aegean and Anatolia, and changes that ushered in the Bronze Age. Archaeological data for this millennium, however, is scattered and studies tend to be divided on either side of the Bronze Age watershed. Written by well-known specialists, this volume presents the first detailed assessment of the chronological developments on the island across that divide. Richly illustrated, it provides an indispensible framework for the period and lays the foundations for more accurate evaluations of inter-regional connections.

HISTORY & PHILOLOGY

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Associated Regional Chronologies for the Ancient Near East
and the Eastern Mediterranean, Vol. III: History & Philology

W. Sallaberger, I. Schrakamp (eds.)
XVI+445 p., 210 x 295 mm, 2015;
ISBN: 978-2-503-53494-7;
Languages: English; Paperback

Short Description: The volume on "History and Philology" within the ARCANE project is an up-to-date presentation of the data and problems connected to the chronology of the third millennium BC of Mesopotamia and adjacent regions. As an introduction, Walther Sallaberger and Ingo Schrakamp provide an overview of the pertinent cuneiform sources and discuss the reconstruction of a historical chronology. Furthermore the book includes articles on chronological problems and a regional history from the Fara period to the end of the millennium from leading experts: A. Archi and M.-G. Biga on Ebla, K. De Graef on Susa, G. Marchesi on early dynasties, F. Pomponio on Adab, I. Schrakamp on historical geography, W. Sommerfeld on the Akkadian period, H. Steible on Fara, P. Steinkeller on the Gutian period.

Table of Contents: Philological Data for a Historical Chronology of Mesopotamia in the 3rd Millennium (W. Sallaberger, I. Schrakamp), Toward a Chronology of Early Dynastic Rulers in Mesopotamia (G. Marchesi), The Geographical Horizon of the Texts from Fara/Shuruppag (H. Steible), The Chronology of Ebla and Synchronisms with Abarsal, Tuttul, Nagar and Nabada, Mari, Kish (A. Archi), The Geographical Scope of Ebla: Commerce and Wars, Some Remarks (M.-G. Biga), The Rulers of Adab (F. Pomponio), Geographical Horizons of the Presargonic and Sargonic Archives (I. Schrakamp), The Transition from the Old Akkadian Period to Ur III in Lagash (W. Sommerfeld), The Gutian Period in Chronological Perspective (P. Steinkeller), Susa in the Late 3rd Millennium: From a Mesopotamian Colony to an Independent State (MC 2110-1980) (K. De Graef), Conclusion (W. Sallaberger, I. Schrakamp).

MIDDLE EUPHRATES

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Associated Regional Chronologies for the Ancient Near East
and the Eastern Mediterranean, Vol. IV: Middle Euphrates

U. Finkbeiner, M. Novak, F. Sakal, P. Sconzo (eds.)
XII+493 p., 210 x 295 mm, 2015;
ISBN: 978-2-503-53495-4;
Languages: English; Paperback

Short Description: The Middle Euphrates region extends between Jezirah and Northern Levant; it follows the course of the Euphrates from the south flanks of the Taurus mountains in Turkey almost to the modern border with Iraq. The settlement area drawn out between steppes in the east and in the west owes its particular character to just that life line with its rich soil but also to the trade routes meeting at the Euphrates Bend and connecting Anatolia to Mesopotamia, and the Syrian east to the Levant. Especially for the 3rd millennium, finds and findings from the area under consideration show great cultural variety and demonstrate the different influences by the neighbouring regions that meet here at the Euphrates river.
The international rescue excavations in the wake of dam projects in Turkey as well as in Syria yielded abundant material. The present study takes into account the results of more than forty sites. In agreement with the principles of ARCANE the richly illustrated account is divided along find groups and written by experts who supplemented their specific chronological findings thus arriving at a new periodization and terminology for the 3rd millennium.

Table of Contents: Introduction (U. Finkbeiner, M. Novák, M. Lebeau), Stratigraphy (U. Finkbeiner), Urbanism and Architecture (M. Novák), Ceramics (P. Sconzo), Glyptic and Art (C. Felli), Anthropomorphic Terracotta Figurines (F. Sakal), Animal Terracotta Figurines and Model Vehicles (A. Pruß), Metal (F. F. Squadrone), Lithics (J. Thomalsky), Bone Objects (H. Genz), Burials and Funerary Practices (M. Bouso), Radiocarbon Chronology (K. Deckers, P. Drechsler, P. Sconzo), History and Philology (G. Marchesi), Conclusion (U. Finkbeiner, M. Novák, F. Sakal, P. Sconzo)

TIGRIDIAN REGION

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Associated Regional Chronologies for the Ancient Near East
and the Eastern Mediterranean, Vol. V: Tigridian Region

E. Rova (ed.)
XII+448 p., 119 b/w ill., 36 b/w tables, 210 x 297 mm, 2019;
ISBN: 978-2-503-53497-8;
Languages: English; Paperback

Short Description: The fifth volume of the ARCANE series presents an up-to-date and richly illustrated synthesis of the archaeology of the 3rd millennium BC in the Upper Tigris region of Northern Iraq and South-eastern Turkey, the first to fully include the results of international rescue excavations carried out in both countries in the second half of the 20th century in the framework of dam projects. Written by well-known experts, it revises all aspects of the material culture and history, and proposes a new periodisation and terminology for the region. It thus poses a sound basis for the evaluation of the recently revived archaeological research in Iraqi Kurdistan. Together with the other volumes of the ARCANE series, it will represent an indispensable reference for students as well as for scholars of the Ancient Near East, in particular for those interested in the Early Bronze Age and in inter-regional connections.

Table of Contents: Foreword (E. Rova), Introduction (E. Rova), Stratigraphy (S. Renette), Pottery (M. Arrivabeni), The Pottery Sequence from Assur and Its Integration in the Tigridian Pottery Culture (C. Beuger), Architecture and Settlement Trends (D. Lawecka), Metal (L. Rutkowski), Figurines and Small Finds (M. Tonussi), Lithics (J. Thomalsky), Burials and Funerary Practices (S. Valentini), Glyptic (H. Pittman), Radiocarbon Dates and Periodisation for the Tigridian Region (E. Boaretto, E. Rova), History and Philology (M. Maiocchi), Conclusions (E. Rova).
Published Interregional Volumes

CERAMICS

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Associated Regional Chronologies for the Ancient Near East
and the Eastern Mediterranean, Arcane Interregional,
Vol. I: Ceramics

M. Lebeau (ed.)
XI+425 p., 1 colour ill., 210 x 295 mm, 2014;
ISBN: 978-2-503-54987-3;
Languages: English; Paperback

Short Description: The first interregional volume of the ARCANE collection gathers twenty-two contributions concerning ceramic fabrics that were produced from Egypt to Iran and from Thrace to Southern Mesopotamia across the third millennium BCE.
These contributions, written by senior scholars and advanced doctoral students, are based primarily on complete vessels from secure stratigraphical contexts. They present the most recent and complete update on Near and Middle Eastern ceramic wares throughout the Early Bronze Age.
As an integral component of the ARCANE Programme, the volume provides a careful examination of interregional contacts and allows for a deeper understanding and fine tuning of the relative chronologies of the entire area.
The contributors relied on the methodology and interdisciplinary focus of the ARCANE Programme. As a result, scholars and students will find this volume an essential reference work for the interregional study of the material culture of the ancient Near East and Eastern Mediterranean world.

ARTEFACTS

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Associated Regional Chronologies for the Ancient Near East
and the Eastern Mediterranean, Arcane Interregional,
Vol. II: Artefacts

M. Lebeau (ed.)
X+309 p., 200 b/w ill. + 1 colour ill., 210 x 297 mm, 2018;
ISBN: 978-2-503-54988-0;
Languages: English; Paperback

Short Description: The second interregional volume of the ARCANE collection gathers fourteen contributions concerning artefacts that were produced from Egypt to Iran and from Thrace to Southern Mesopotamia across the third millennium BCE.
These contributions, written by senior scholars and advanced doctoral students, are based primarily on artefacts from secure stratigraphical contexts. They present the most recent and complete update on Near and Middle Eastern artefact production throughout the Early Bronze Age.
As an integral component of the ARCANE Programme, the volume provides a careful examination of interregional contacts and allows for a deeper understanding and fine-tuning of the relative chronologies of the entire area.
The contributors relied on the methodology and interdisciplinary focus of the ARCANE Programme. As a result, scholars and students will find this volume an essential reference work for the interregional study of the material culture of the ancient Near East and Eastern Mediterranean world.

Table of Contents: Foreword (M. Lebeau), Cypriot Anthropomorphic Figurines (D. Bolger), Inlays (R. Dolce, B. Couturaud), Organic Materials (Bone, Ivory, Shell) (H. Genz), Metal Weapons (G. Gernez), Andirons (M. Isikli, R. Greenberg), Animal Figurines (L. Peyronel, A. Pruß), Dark Soft Stone Objects (H. Pittman), Model Vehicles (A. Pruß), Semi-Precious Stones (P. Quenet), Canaanean Blades (S. A. Rosen), Anthropomorphic Terracotta Figurines (F. Sakal), Stone Vessels (K. Sowada), Bitumen (Th. van de Velde, J. Connan), Beads (Z. Wygnanska, D. E. Bar-Yosef Mayer).
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