Testing the Canon of Ancient Near Eastern Art and Archaeology

This book considers the "Greatest Hits" of ancient Near Eastern art and archaeology, including canonical objects, sites, and monuments from Egypt, the Levant, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran, from the prehistoric era through the Classical period. Gansell, Shafer, and their contributors investigate the factors that have made these historical artifacts so well known for so long. By questioning the canon, this book allows readers to better reflect on the range of ancient Near Eastern culture and revise the canon so it can accommodate new discoveries, represent the values of heritage communities, and remain relevant to contemporary and future audiences.