In history, this grand arterial 1500-mile waterway was always seen as the natural frontier between the northern provinces of the Iranian empires and the outer Turanian lands. It was for centuries central to Achaemenid and later Persian power. But, as the author shows, it has a prehistory which goes very much further back: and a succession of skilled yet still elusive Bronze Age cultures flourished here well before the rise of Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE. This richly illustrated book explores the fascinating history, art and archaeology of the region, including its primal trade in silk and foodstuffs; the mineral wealth of the Oxus basin; its exotic myths and beliefs; and the converging tribes and peoples which led to a new stability, economic growth and urbanism. The volume contains 150 full-colour photographs of notable artefacts, including silver decorated vessels, inlaid stone pots, agate beads and 25 'Bactrian Princesses': remarkable statuettes made in chlorite and limestone. Most of these rare objects have never been seen, let alone published, before.

About the Author

Massimo Vidale is Professor of Near Eastern Archaeology at the University of Padua where he lectures on ancient crafts and cultures. An internationally prominent scholar of the archaeology and material culture of the Bronze Age, he has held Chairs at the universities of Bologna, Genoa and Rome. His previous books, published in English and Italian, include The Archaeology of Indus Crafts (2000), What is Ethnoarchaeology? (2004) and Ceramics and Archaeology (2007).

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

Established in 2009 SpeedyHen has built up a reputation for its quick, reliable service. We strive to ensure that our products are competitively priced and available to you from stock. All of our orders are dispatched via trackable services for piece of mind. Our dedication to customer service has helped to establish SpeedyHen as one of the market leaders in online book & physical music retailing. Please take a look at our huge range. Help is available from our polite customer service team for any questions you may have.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

TBC

Shipping Terms

All orders are dispatched within 2 business days via a trackable service.

All tracking numbers are uploaded when the order has been dispatched.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	7 to 10 business days	5 to 8 business days
First item	US$ 0.00	US$ 30.00

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.