Reading Response to the Reading "World prehistory and archaeology: pathways through time" by Chazan Michael.

Discussion Post

Upon reading Chazan’s article, I noted that urban cultures in subtropical regions like Egypt, Southwest Asia, and India emerged around great river systems, displaying diverse political and religious orders influenced by environmental conditions. Along the Tigris and Euphrates, city-states headed by elder and priest councils rose to prominence in Mesopotamia. To protect their agricultural crops from the unpredictability of the surrounding environment, these communities built tall ziggurats as emblems of the cooperation between divine and human forces (Ingersoll 35). As an example of its hierarchical social structure and centralized monarchy, Egypt's Nile-centered civilization which was shaped by flooding s represented by its monumental pyramids, which stand for both the continuation of life and the afterlife. 

Notably, Southwest Asia's architectural traditions have evolved alongside the development of written language, enabling the documentation of societal knowledge and cultural practices. Urban centers grew, necessitating expertise in city planning and infrastructure management to tackle issues like drainage and housing. Mesopotamia's Bronze Age city-states, notably Sumer, marked a significant milestone in urban development, with cities becoming sacred centers embodying the axis mundi through monumental ziggurats. These structures, rising above the cityscape, symbolized the connection between earthly existence and divine realms, serving as focal points for religious rituals and social cohesion. 

Lastly, Mesopotamian society's governance was based on three pillars: the temple, the palace, and the city council. Temples, expansive urban complexes, served as economic hubs and religious centers. The relationship between temples and palaces during the Uruk and Early Dynastic periods remains a mystery, with evidence suggesting a complex power dynamics interplay. Kingship, or ensi, involved various duties such as temple maintenance and military leadership, with kings potentially chosen by city councils. The Code of Hammurabi, a significant legal code from early Mesopotamian society, outlines the kings' jurisdiction over commercial activities, criminal justice, and family law (Chazan 299).                                        

Work Cited

Chazan, Michael. World prehistory and archaeology: pathways through time. Routledge, 2021. 

Ingersoll, Richard. "World architecture: A cross-cultural history." (No Title) (2013).