Signs of shared complexity : glyptic and large scale transformations in the 4th-3rd millennia Near East
Important social transformations took place during the late 4th - early 3rd millennia BC in the greater Near East. These changes were reflected in the archaeological record, but a component of these transformations was the result of interplay between cognition and material culture. A few key concepts are approached in this thesis in an attempt to understand the relationship between ideas and their material expressions, and the way that this interaction resulted in social change: simultaneity and diffusion in archaeological analysis, emerging complexity and in particular, what has been termed the ~Urban Revolution~ near the end of the 4th millennium, and the nature of identity in the formation of social settings. Glyptic artefacts (seals and seal impressions) from the 4th - 3rd millennia greater Near East are examined stylistically and statistically in order to elucidate these key theoretical concepts. Cylinder seals are perhaps the perfect artefacts with which to trace emergent complexity because through these materials one can track economic transactions and inter-regional exchanges; but they were also works of art, and through an analysis of the glyptic styles, political, social, religious, and ideological
McCarthy, Andrew
Signs of shared complexity : glyptic and large scale transformations in the 4th-3rd millennia Near East. Important social transformations took place during the late 4th - early 3rd millennia BC in the greater Near East. These changes were reflected in the archaeological record, but a component of these transformations was the result of interplay between cognition and material culture. A few key concepts are approached in this thesis in an attempt to understand the relationship between ideas and their material expressions, and the way that this interaction resulted in social change: simultaneity and diffusion in archaeological analysis, emerging complexity and in particular, what has been termed the ~Urban Revolution~ near the end of the 4th millennium, and the nature of identity in the formation of social settings. Glyptic artefacts (seals and seal impressions) from the 4th - 3rd millennia greater Near East are examined stylistically and statistically in order to elucidate these key theoretical concepts. Cylinder seals are perhaps the perfect artefacts with which to trace emergent complexity because through these materials one can track economic transactions and inter-regional exchanges; but they were also works of art, and through an analysis of the glyptic styles, political, social, religious, and ideological
share complexity glyptic large_scale transformation millennium near_east important social_transformation take_place millennium great near_east change reflect archaeological_record component transformation interplay cognition material_culture key_concept approach attempt relationship idea material_expression way interaction result social_change simultaneity diffusion archaeological_analysis emerge complexity particular termed urban revolution near nature identity_formation social_setting glyptic artefact seal seal_impression millennia great near_east examine stylistically statistically order_elucidate key theoretical concept seal perhaps perfect artefact trace emergent complexity material track economic transaction inter_regional exchange also work_art analysis glyptic style political_social religious ideological