The Uruk World System The Dynamics of Expansion of Early Mesopotamian Civilization

University of Chicago Press. As New in As New dust jacket. 1993. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. 0226013812 . NO MARKS; AS NEW IN AS NEW DUST JACKET. During the "Uruk Period" [4000 BC to 3100 BC], the Sumerians discovered accounting, which led to writing, and established the earliest known cities. Using Wallerstein's "World System" as a framework, Algaze argues that the more advanced societies located on the Plain [the Sumerians and Akkadians] lacked essential materials that were available to the less advanced highlands people. The former pushed out onto the plain to set up trading enclaves, tradng settlements and gained control both of river traffic and the overland trade routes going through Iranian plain. Toward the end of the period, these settlements died out. Algaze discusses possible reasons why. ; 11.28 X 8.73 X 0.70 inches; 169 pages .