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Cultural and Scientific Evolution: Some Comments on “The Decline and Rise of Mesopotamian Civilization”

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Robert C. Dunnell  and
Robert J. Wenke
Robert C. Dunnell
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195
Robert J. Wenke
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195
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Abstract

Norman Yoffee raises some interesting issues in a consideration of the cyclical nature of Near Eastern civilizations. The main thrust of his discussion is a critique of evolutionary frameworks for explaining these processes. He also asserts the value of contemporary historical documents as a source of important data. While acknowledging the value of some of his insights, we find his basic arguments unconvincing. Aside from substantive disagreements, we attempt to show that there are basic theoretical flaws in his main arguments that are common to many archaeological approaches.

Type
Comments
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 45 , Issue 3 , July 1980 , pp. 605 - 609
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1980 

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