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Before Writing V1 From Counting to Cuneiform by Denise Schmandt-Besse
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eBay item number:187252702005
Item specifics
- Condition
- Book Title
- Before Writing
- Original Language
- English
- Topic
- Writing
- ISBN
- 9780292707832
- Subject Area
- Social Science
- Publication Name
- Before Writing, Vol. I Vol. I : from Counting to Cuneiform
- Publisher
- University of Texas Press
- Item Length
- 11 in
- Subject
- Archaeology
- Publication Year
- 1992
- Type
- Textbook
- Format
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- Item Height
- 0.6 in
- Item Weight
- 23.5 Oz
- Item Width
- 8.5 in
- Number of Pages
- 283 Pages
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
University of Texas Press
ISBN-10
0292707835
ISBN-13
9780292707832
eBay Product ID (ePID)
118829
Product Key Features
Number of Pages
283 Pages
Publication Name
Before Writing, Vol. I Vol. I : from Counting to Cuneiform
Language
English
Subject
Archaeology
Publication Year
1992
Type
Textbook
Subject Area
Social Science
Format
Hardcover
Dimensions
Item Height
0.6 in
Item Weight
23.5 Oz
Item Length
11 in
Item Width
8.5 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
Scholarly & Professional
LCCN
90-023615
Reviews
...possibly the single most important contribution published in recent years concerned with the antecedents to writing., Schmandt-Besserat's discovery and its ramifications . . . are crucial to understanding the development of civilization.... This is a thought-provoking book, beautifully produced, and what it tells us is of great importance.
Dewey Edition
20
Number of Volumes
2 vols.
Volume Number
Vol. I
Illustrated
Yes
Dewey Decimal
737/.3/0956
Synopsis
Before Writing gives a new perspective on the evolution of communication. It points out that when writing began in Mesopotamia it was not, as previously thought, a sudden and spontaneous invention. Instead, it was the outgrowth of many thousands of years' worth of experience at manipulating symbols. Denise Schmandt-Besserat presents a system of counters (tokens) that appeared in the Near East following the invention of agriculture (about 8000 B.C.) as the immediate precursor of Sumerian writing. Tokens were small objects modeled in clay in various geometric forms used for counting and accounting for goods. They remained in use during 5,000 years with little change, except at the rise of cities, when the types multiplied. The tokens represented a breakthrough in communication. They constituted the first code, the first system of signs for communication. They made it possible to deal concurrently with multiple kinds of data, thus allowing the processing of a volume and complexity of information never reached previously. Tokens functioned as an extension of the human brain to collect, manipulate, store, and retrieve data. In turn, processing an increasing volume of data brought people to think in greater abstraction. Before Writing discusses how the tokens reflect an archaic way of "concrete counting" that paved the way to abstract counting. The evolution of the token system was also tied to the development of political power, since accounting was key to the control of real goods. Before Writing documents how numeracy was the privilege of an elite and shows how the more complex the token system became the more power it wielded. Written in an engaging and lively style, Before Writing, Volume I: From Counting to Cuneiform has significance far beyond a single field. It will be of interest to scholars and general readers interested in the origin of civilization, communication, and mathematics., Before Writing gives a new perspective on the evolution of communication. It points out that when writing began in Mesopotamia it was not, as previously thought, a sudden and spontaneous invention. Instead, it was the outgrowth of many thousands of years' worth of experience at manipulating symbols. In Volume I: From Counting to Cuneiform , Denise Schmandt-Besserat describes how in about 8000 B.C., coinciding with the rise of agriculture, a system of counters, or tokens, appeared in the Near East. These tokens--small, geometrically shaped objects made of clay--represented various units of goods and were used to count and account for them. The token system was a breakthrough in data processing and communication that ultimately led to the invention of writing about 3100 B.C. Through a study of archaeological and epigraphic evidence, Schmandt-Besserat traces how the Sumerian cuneiform script, the first writing system, emerged from a counting device. In Volume II: A Catalog of Near Eastern Tokens , Schmandt-Besserat presents the primary data on which she bases her theories. These data consist of several thousand tokens, catalogued by country, archaeological site, and token types and subtypes. The information also includes the chronology, stratigraphy, museum ownership, accession or field number, references to previous publications, material, and size of the artifacts. Line drawings and photographs illustrate the various token types., A fascinating book on the origins of writing. Before Writing gives a new perspective on the evolution of communication. It points out that when writing began in Mesopotamia it was not, as previously thought, a sudden and spontaneous invention. Instead, it was the outgrowth of many thousands of years' worth of experience at manipulating symbols. In Volume I: From Counting to Cuneiform , Denise Schmandt-Besserat describes how in about 8000 B.C., coinciding with the rise of agriculture, a system of counters, or tokens, appeared in the Near East. These tokens--small, geometrically shaped objects made of clay--represented various units of goods and were used to count and account for them. The token system was a breakthrough in data processing and communication that ultimately led to the invention of writing about 3100 B.C. Through a study of archaeological and epigraphic evidence, Schmandt-Besserat traces how the Sumerian cuneiform script, the first writing system, emerged from a counting device. In Volume II: A Catalog of Near Eastern Tokens , Schmandt-Besserat presents the primary data on which she bases her theories. These data consist of several thousand tokens, catalogued by country, archaeological site, and token types and subtypes. The information also includes the chronology, stratigraphy, museum ownership, accession or field number, references to previous publications, material, and size of the artifacts. Line drawings and photographs illustrate the various token types.
LC Classification Number
CJ4867.S36 1992
Item description from the seller
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- n***a (575)- Feedback left by buyer.Past yearVerified purchaseThe book was shipped quickly. It was wrapped in heavy brown paper and placed in a bubble mailer with a piece of stiff cardboard for even more protection. It arrived in great shape, with no damage whatsoever. The book is in VG+ condition as described by the seller. An overall outstanding transaction. Thanks!The Passion of Therese of Lisieux by Guy Gaucher (1999) S/C VG+ (#186193399895)
- 0***a (73)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchasePerfect Packaging! Lightning speed delivery Time! New As Described nothing missing and Great Value! Thank you note was a great personal touch. cannot give this seller enough stars.A++++++++INKADINKADO Large Lot of 24 New Packs of Rubber Stamps Various Themes (#186956951759)
- e***8 (987)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseHappy with purchase.Item as described, arrived faster than expected and well packaged.Excellent customer service and communication. I recommend seller and hope to do business with again.Thank you!Edvard Munch : The Frieze of Life Hardcover (#187196036281)
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Seller feedback (4,241)
- n***a (575)- Feedback left by buyer.Past yearVerified purchaseThe book was shipped quickly. It was wrapped in heavy brown paper and placed in a bubble mailer with a piece of stiff cardboard for even more protection. It arrived in great shape, with no damage whatsoever. The book is in VG+ condition as described by the seller. An overall outstanding transaction. Thanks!The Passion of Therese of Lisieux by Guy Gaucher (1999) S/C VG+ (#186193399895)
- 0***a (73)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchasePerfect Packaging! Lightning speed delivery Time! New As Described nothing missing and Great Value! Thank you note was a great personal touch. cannot give this seller enough stars.A++++++++INKADINKADO Large Lot of 24 New Packs of Rubber Stamps Various Themes (#186956951759)
- e***8 (987)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseHappy with purchase.Item as described, arrived faster than expected and well packaged.Excellent customer service and communication. I recommend seller and hope to do business with again.Thank you!Edvard Munch : The Frieze of Life Hardcover (#187196036281)