Out of Print--Limited Availability.
Select delivery location
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Jean Margueron
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Mari: Capital of Northern Mesopotamia in the Third Millennium. The archaeology of Tell Hariri on the Euphrates Hardcover – December 17, 2014

by Jean-Claude Margueron (Author)
See all formats and editions
According to archaeological evidence gleaned over more than 70 years, Mari appears to have been the most important city in northern Mesopotamia from its foundation at about 2950 BC to 1760 BC. Situated at the heart of a river system and progressively linked with an overland network, Mari was the city that controlled the relations of central and southern Mesopotamia with the regions bordering the Taurus and Zagros mountains to the north and east and the Mediterranean coastal zone to the west. Mari drew its power from this situation, and the role it played accounts for the particularity of its features, positioned as it was between the Syrian, Assyrian, Iranian, Babylonian and Sumerian worlds.
The evidence shows that there was not one city of Mari, but three successive cities, each having specific features, although there is a striking permanence in the original forms. The first, City I, founded in about 2950 BC, was based on remarkable principles of city planning, including a broad regional development with the creation of canals for irrigation and transport, one more than 120 km long. In the 23rd century BC City II was founded using impressive technology in city planning. Probably destroyed by Naram-Sin of Akkad about 2200 BC, it was entirely reconstructed as City III by a new dynasty, the Shakkanakku. In the 19th century BC this was replaced by an Amorite dynasty, which ruled until Hammurabi of Babylon destroyed Mari in 1760 BC. The diversity of the information and material that has been recovered confirms Mari’s place as one of the best sources for understanding the brilliant Mesopotamian civilisation that developed between the beginning of the 3rd and the end of the 1st millennium BC.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgements

Chapter I: Presentation of the site
The tell
The environment
History of the archaeological exploration
Operations in the main excavation areas
Conclusion: the history of Mari illuminated by archaeology

Chapter II: The foundation of Mari and regional development
The foundation of the city on the Holocene terrace
The canals
Organization of the kingdom of Mari

Chapter III: The historical stages
The foundation of Mari and City I (Early Dynastic I-II, 2950-2650[?])
The re-foundation of Mari and City II (Early Dynastic III and Akkadian 2550-2220)
The reconstruction of Mari and City III (Shakkanakku and Amorite periods, 2200-1760)

Chapter IV: The three cities and urbanism
Morphological analysis of the tell
The defensive system and its development
The urbanism of City I
The urbanism of City II
The urbanism of City III under the Shakkanakku
The modifications of the Amorite period

Chapter V: The development of domestic architecture
The houses of City I
Urban domestic architecture in City II
Houses and residences in City III

Chapter VI: The religious monuments
The religious organisation of City II
The Mari model of the temple in City II
The Massif Rouge and its temple-tower
Activity in the temples of City II
The religious reorganisation of City III
From City II to City III: maintaining tradition
The innovations of City III
Development of foundation rites from City I to City III
Conclusion: originality of the sacred architecture at Mari

Chapter VII: The palaces
The palace-sanctuary of City II
The “phantom” palace (beginning of City III)
The Great Royal Palace of City III
The Little Eastern Palace of City III

Chapter VIII: The development of funerary practices
Burials in City I
Burials in City II
Burials in the period of the Shakkanakku
Burials during the Amorite dynasty
Burials in the Khana period
Burials in the Middle Assyrian period
Burials in the village of the Seleucid period

Chapter IX: Objects and installations of everyday life
Nature of the material found
Importance of economic activities and artisanal production
The intensity of relations and contacts woven by Mari

Chapter X: Court art, sacred art, popular art
Art in the period of City I
Art in the period of City II
Art in the period of the Shakkanakku (beginning of City III)
Art in the period of the Amorite dynasty
Art in the Middle Assyrian period

Chapter XI: The historical data provided by archaeology

Glossary
Bibliography
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    176 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Oxbow Books
  4. Publication date
    December 17, 2014
  5. Dimensions
    8.25 x 0.75 x 11.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1782977317
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1782977315
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This book is recommended without the slightest reservation to all who are fascinated by urbanization in ancient Mesopotamia.”

About the Author

Jean-Claude Margueron is a hugely experienced and distinguished Near Eastern archaeologist who was Director of the excavations at Mari from 1979-2004 with the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxbow Books; Illustrated edition (December 17, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1782977317
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1782977315
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 0.75 x 11.5 inches

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Jean Margueron

Jean Margueron

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

No customer reviews