ISBN 0-292-70783-5. Hardback. First Printing. Near Fine Condition book in a Near Fine Condition Dustjacket. Tight, bright, attractive copy with no markings to the book. Copy two.

Seller Inventory # 126344

Contact seller

Report this item

Bibliographic Details

Title: Before Writing Volume I: From Counting To Cuneiform
Publisher: University of Texas Press 1992
Publication Date: 1992
ISBN 10: 0292707835
ISBN 13: 9780292707832
Binding: Hardcover
Edition: 1st Edition
Printing: 1st Printing
Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included

About this title

Synopsis

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.

About the Author

Denise Schmandt-Besserat is Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.

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

Store Description

General used book store. 30 years in business. Large stock covering most fields. Specialities include Science fiction, Mysteries, Children's Books, Military, Transportation, Religion. Open seven days a week, 10 to 6.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Tacoma Book Center
324 E. 26th, Tacoma, WA, 98421, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

ORDERING BOOKS : Since our internet stock is stored in a separate warehouse, email is a virtual
necessity for the initial inquiry. Please email orders using the Advanced Book Exchange order buttons.
If you use your own forms, we need the book number and book title to locate the book. If you
telephone first, please have our book inventory number and
title ready and please be prepared to call back later when we have had time to pull the book from
storage.

HOLDING BOOKS: After we confirm that a boo...

More Information

Shipping Terms

Orders usually ship within 2 business days. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required. If shipped within the U.S. we automatically add delivery confirmation to insure your order has its best chance to get to you.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	5 to 14 business days	3 to 6 business days
First item	US$ 4.50	US$ 16.00

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.