Archaeology at the North-East Anatolian Frontier, [VOL.] I [ONLY]. An Historical Geography and a Field Survey of the Bayburt Province

Sagona, Antonio and Claudia Sagona plus others. Archaeology at the North-East Anatolian Frontier, [VOL.] I [ONLY]. An Historical Geography and a Field Survey of the Bayburt Province. Louvain: Peeters Press, 2004. Quarto (12″ x 8-1/2″). xx, (2), 597, (5)pp. Red cloth lettered in gilt. Illustrated with numerous maps, photos and drawings. An ex-library book but with minimal rubber stamps on title page & at bottom of text block, otherwise near fine.

Part of a 7 volume study of historical geography and a field survey of the Bayburt Province.; Iron technology and iron-making communities of the first millennium BC.; Note: each volume is complete in itself.

This volume presents a framework for interpreting cultural development in the highlands of Anatolia from the earliest settlements to the recent past. Begun in 1988, investigations by the University of Melbourne in cooperation with the Erzurum Museum have studied how past human societies adapted to and modified highland environments. After considerations of concepts such as ‘frontiers’, ‘borders’ and ‘boundaries’ that can be easily applied to north-east Anatolia, the study moves to an analysis of the complex literary tradition with a view to detailing an historical geography of the Bayburt and Erzurum regions. The ethnicity of the Diauehi, the identification of Sinoria of Mithradates fame and a new proposal for the route taken by Xenophon and his 10,000 troops are among the novel ideas now associated with this once neglected region. The second part deals with material culture. Beginning with an environmental conspectus, the study presents the results of a survey carried out in Bayburt during 1988 and 1990-93. An ample catalogue of finds supplements a detailed Register of Sites. To ensure comprehensiveness, as complete a ceramic sequence for north-east Anatolia as is possible to prepare at this stage is also provided. Using both textual and archaeological data, this study provides an extensive yet holistic picture of cultural change in the highlands. As such it provides a valuable resource for the study of the antiquity of east Anatolia and neighbouring lands. (Publisher)

Contents: Introduction: Frontiers in the highlands / Antonio Sagona — Literary tradition and topographic commentary / Claudia Sagona — Cultural and historical implications of the literary traditions and topographic commentary / Claudia Sagona — The environmental setting / Jennifer C. Newton — An archaeological survey of the Bayburt province / Antonio and Claudia Sagona — Settlement patterns / Antonio Sagona.

Supplement 14 of the Peeters series, “Ancient Near Eastern Studies.” near fine. Hardcover. (53113) $95