Dalla terra alla storia. Scoperte leggendarie di archeologia orientale
Torino: Giulio Einaudi Editore.
Editor’s webpage
Paolo Matthiae retraces the paths towards some of the most important archaeological discoveries during the last century, from Egypt, through Syria to Mesopotamia.
After the preface, chapter 1 starts with the story of the discovery of the Egyptian city of Abidos, recalling the testimonies of the beginning of the pharaonic history.
Chapter 2 focuses on the discovery of the city of Ebla, together with its rich royal archives nd the traces of the so–called ‘second–urbanisation’ in Syria and Northern Mesopotamia.
Chapter 3 deals with the Hyksos capital city of Avaris (modern Tell el–Dab’a, in Egypt, where important specimens of Minoan–inspired frescos have been uncovered.
Chapter 4 reports the archaeological excavations at Qatna, in Syria, with its Middle–Syrian palace and the related royal hypogea.
Chapter 5 comes back to Egypt, focusing on the renowned city of Akhetaten/Tell el–Amarna, a turning point in the urban development of Egyptian town (a new city was found from the ground in a previously almost neglected area).
Chapter 6 tells the discovery of the Hittite capital city of Ḫattuša, previously thought to be located in Northern Syria, recalling the finding in its abundant archives of the story possibly telling the end of Ebla and the war towards Ilion.
Chapter 7 concerns H. Schlimann’s excavations at Hissarlik, bringing to light the remains of ancient Troy.
Chapter 8 describes the uncovering of the ancient city of Aleppo, with its temple (probably streaming from the second–millennium Hittite occupation of the city, declared as a vice–royalty town of the Hittite kingdom), displaying the richness in syncretism of its artistic production, sharing both Syrian and Neo–Hittite motifs.
Chapter 9 defines the archaeological excavations at Nimrud, capital city of Ashurbanipal II, with its royal, Assyrian tombs.
Chapter 10 displays the discovery of Babylon, recalling the role of Nebuchadnezzar II in the renovation of the city and connecting it with the Biblical account on the Towel of Babel.
Chapter 11 retraces the ancient city of Sippar, with its library dedicated to the Sun–god which brought to us many wisdoms literary text of Babylonian erudition.
Chapter 12 ends the book with the re–discovery of Jerusalem, bringing to light the remains of Salomon’s Temple and the later traces of the destruction on behalf of Nebuchadnezzar II.
The epilogue summarises the common traits beyond all the aforementioned archaeological investigations and discoveries: “Le scoperte rievocate e illustrate nelle pagine precedenti hanno in commune alcune caratteristiche fondamentali. In primo luogo, sono il frutto, in modi certo diversi, di esplorazioni archaeologiche sistematiche di lungo period. In secondo luogo, sono state realizzate, approssimativamente, nell’ultimo mezzo secolo. In terzo luogo, a un giudizio oggettivo e di nuovo in modi diversificati, hanno avuto un significato rivoluzionario” [“The discoveries recalled and illustrated in the previous pages have some fundamental characteristics in common. First of all, they are the fruit, in certain ways, of long–term systematic archaeological explorations. Secondly, they have been realized, approximately, in the last half century. Thirdly, to an objective judgment and again in diversified ways, they retained a revolutionary meaning” English translation by mDP] (Epilogue). – [The abstract to this book has been added to this page because it deals with archaeological discoveries of ‘new’ (under modern perspective), ‘ancient’ (because there are indeed antique) cities. The reflections presented in this book, most of all those referring to the theoretical and historical background, can indeed be extended to and shared with Tell Mozan/Urkesh, which could be deservedly added as a thirteenth ‘virtual’ chapter to this volume].
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