Arheologija Starega Bližnjega vzhoda - Od predkeramičnega neolitika do konca zgodnje bronaste dobe

This scientific monograph offers an introduction to the cultural and historical development of the Ancient Near East, presented in the Slovenian language. Covering more than eight millennia—from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age—the book provides a comprehensive overview of the social, cultural, and material transformations that shaped one of the world’s earliest cradles of civilization. The chronological framework ends with the appearance of the first written sources in the mid-third millennium BCE, which not only represent a turning point in content but also mark the boundary between prehistory and history. 

The study traces the succession of populations with diverse social structures, innovations, and intercultural connections that emerged in this region, while highlighting the challenges of reconstructing long-term historical processes within such a vast chronological scope. It outlines the most significant archaeological sites, monuments, and aspects of material culture, while also reflecting on how new scientific discoveries and archaeological data continuously reshape our understanding of the Ancient Near East. 

Special attention is given to the role of rivers, landscapes, and ecological zones, with a focus on the fertile crescent as a key area where farming, herding, and sedentary communities first developed. The book explains how irrigation systems and environmental adaptations laid the foundations for advanced civilizations in Mesopotamia and its neighboring regions. 

The volume emphasizes the broader relevance of this early cultural development: Mesopotamia has long been regarded as the “cradle of civilization,” with lasting influence on the later trajectories of human societies, including the foundations of Western culture. At the same time, the book highlights the urgency of studying and preserving this heritage today, as the core areas of ancient Mesopotamia have for decades been affected by political instability and armed conflict, leading to the destruction of cultural heritage and with it collective cultural memory. 

By combining archaeological, historical, and cultural perspectives, this monograph provides students, researchers, and interested readers with an accessible overview of the Ancient Near East as both a geographical and cultural landscape. It highlights not only the historical importance of the region but also its enduring role in shaping debates about heritage, identity, and the origins of human civilization.