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Orta Deniz'in Yapımı: Başlangıçtan Klasik Dünya'nın Doğuşuna Kadar Akdeniz'in Tarihi
Binlerce yıldır insanlara yön veren Akdeniz... Dünyanın en büyük içdenizi. Çetin ama olanaklar açısından zengin beş “Akdenizsi” bölgenin en büyüğü. Mezopotamya ve Mısır’daki eski uygarlıkları doğuran nehir kaynaklarının komşusu. İstisnai toplumların beşiği.
Rakipsiz derinliği ve incelenme hacmiyle Akdeniz arkeolojisi, antik toplumlara ışık tutabilecek en zengin kaynaklar arasında. Klasik dönem ve sonrasındaki tarihine dair başarılı yorumlar olmasına rağmen Akdeniz toplumlarının, kültürünün ve ekonomilerinin nasıl oluştuğuna dair elimizde bütünlüklü incelemeler yok. "Orta Deniz’in Yapımı", Akdeniz dünyasının oluşumunu MÖ 2 milyondan alıp MÖ 500’lere getiriyor. Kitap, Avrupa, batı Asya ile Afrika cenahlarından ve Akdeniz’in kalbindeki adalardan görüşlere ve bilgilere eşit derecede yer veren ilk kaynak. Hikâyesini ilk insanlardan başlatıp tarımla metalürjinin ve medeniyetlerin doğuşuna kadar sürdüren kitap, disiplinler arası bir çalışma. Arkeoloji ve tarihyazımına dair bir başyapıt.
Cyprian Broodbank, Cambridge Üniversitesi Arkeoloji Bölümü başkanı ve McDonald Arkeoloji Enstitüsü direktörü.
Rakipsiz derinliği ve incelenme hacmiyle Akdeniz arkeolojisi, antik toplumlara ışık tutabilecek en zengin kaynaklar arasında. Klasik dönem ve sonrasındaki tarihine dair başarılı yorumlar olmasına rağmen Akdeniz toplumlarının, kültürünün ve ekonomilerinin nasıl oluştuğuna dair elimizde bütünlüklü incelemeler yok. "Orta Deniz’in Yapımı", Akdeniz dünyasının oluşumunu MÖ 2 milyondan alıp MÖ 500’lere getiriyor. Kitap, Avrupa, batı Asya ile Afrika cenahlarından ve Akdeniz’in kalbindeki adalardan görüşlere ve bilgilere eşit derecede yer veren ilk kaynak. Hikâyesini ilk insanlardan başlatıp tarımla metalürjinin ve medeniyetlerin doğuşuna kadar sürdüren kitap, disiplinler arası bir çalışma. Arkeoloji ve tarihyazımına dair bir başyapıt.
Cyprian Broodbank, Cambridge Üniversitesi Arkeoloji Bölümü başkanı ve McDonald Arkeoloji Enstitüsü direktörü.
712 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2013
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1477 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 18, 2016
Given that “The Making of the Middle Sea” won the 2014 Wolfson Prize it can safely be assumed that it merits a five star rating on Goodreads. The question is whether or not it happens to be the kind of book that is of interest to you.
Nothing that I have read in the last 18 months has given me any more pleasure. This book is an outstanding synthesis work that relates a compelling narrative of the peoples living on the shores and Islands of the Mediterranean Sea from 1,800,000 to 500 B.C. The intense archeological work conducted in most Mediterranean countries over the last fifty years have made it possible to write a history of the “pre-historical” era.
There have been no spectacular finds since the 1920s with exquisite artistic art treasures like those of Troy and Knossos. Instead there have been hundreds of modest excavations that have made it possible to write history through quantitative data. The Mask of Tutankhamun's mummy is an extraordinary display piece. Pottery fragments from thirty sites allow the archeologist to identify the trading area served by a centre of production. Analysis of the contents of human stomachs and turds reveal the timeline and the path of the spread of different types of agriculture.
For a layman like myself, Broodbank’s book contains surprises at almost every page. Recent research has determined when sails were first developed, when donkeys were first used, when humans began to keep dogs, how the culture of spelt wheat spread throughout the region, when shell fish first became part of the diet, etc., etc.
While this book is certainly a slog its rewards are tremendous. It provides a history of the technology, demography, architecture, agriculture, languages and societies of the Mediterranean world prior to the beginning of Classical Greek and Latin civilization.
Nothing that I have read in the last 18 months has given me any more pleasure. This book is an outstanding synthesis work that relates a compelling narrative of the peoples living on the shores and Islands of the Mediterranean Sea from 1,800,000 to 500 B.C. The intense archeological work conducted in most Mediterranean countries over the last fifty years have made it possible to write a history of the “pre-historical” era.
There have been no spectacular finds since the 1920s with exquisite artistic art treasures like those of Troy and Knossos. Instead there have been hundreds of modest excavations that have made it possible to write history through quantitative data. The Mask of Tutankhamun's mummy is an extraordinary display piece. Pottery fragments from thirty sites allow the archeologist to identify the trading area served by a centre of production. Analysis of the contents of human stomachs and turds reveal the timeline and the path of the spread of different types of agriculture.
For a layman like myself, Broodbank’s book contains surprises at almost every page. Recent research has determined when sails were first developed, when donkeys were first used, when humans began to keep dogs, how the culture of spelt wheat spread throughout the region, when shell fish first became part of the diet, etc., etc.
While this book is certainly a slog its rewards are tremendous. It provides a history of the technology, demography, architecture, agriculture, languages and societies of the Mediterranean world prior to the beginning of Classical Greek and Latin civilization.
December 24, 2015
This is a thoroughly enjoyable, fascinating and thought provoking overview of the prehistory of the Mediterranean, the Middle Sea of the title, with sufficient detail to allow you to understand the local impact of larger trends and plenty of interesting facts.
Written for the educated layman, I had read a couple of books about Ancient Egypt, Ancient Mesopotamia and archaeology, so had a little knowledge before coming to this excellent synthesis. It is written using some technical terms, but these are explained sufficiently.
Broodbank starts by providing a framework and terms of reference for his work, then in chapter 3 covers (1.8 million to 50,000 BC, with subsequent chapters of shorter and shorter time duration as more changes over a shorter time scale with greater information available to provide detail, finishing in chapter 10 covering 800-500 BC. This may sound challenging and it is, but Broodbank's approach works very well, trying to provide sufficient overview for you to follow the overall "story arc", whilst providing sufficient specific examples for the reader to understand the practical implications of the overview.
Broodbank's approach is also, as much as possible, to tell the story for all of the Mediterranean, including Iberia and Africa, whilst admitting that often there is little archaeological evidence for Africa west of the Nile. Broodbank also emphasises that the story is not of progress, but of change, and that there are losers as well as winners as times change.
The book is well illustrated (as you would expect from Thames & Hudson) with an excellent map at the beginning of each chapter detailing the position of sites mentioned in that chapter, as well plenty of black & white illustrations and about 50 colour illustrations. I bought the Kindle version, which was good to jump around, but have also bought the hardback for the illustrations and map, which a Kindle cannot really show to best advantage.
A really readable and enlightening book. I now want to learn more, especially about the Stone Age and Neanderthals, but that is what a good book does.
Written for the educated layman, I had read a couple of books about Ancient Egypt, Ancient Mesopotamia and archaeology, so had a little knowledge before coming to this excellent synthesis. It is written using some technical terms, but these are explained sufficiently.
Broodbank starts by providing a framework and terms of reference for his work, then in chapter 3 covers (1.8 million to 50,000 BC, with subsequent chapters of shorter and shorter time duration as more changes over a shorter time scale with greater information available to provide detail, finishing in chapter 10 covering 800-500 BC. This may sound challenging and it is, but Broodbank's approach works very well, trying to provide sufficient overview for you to follow the overall "story arc", whilst providing sufficient specific examples for the reader to understand the practical implications of the overview.
Broodbank's approach is also, as much as possible, to tell the story for all of the Mediterranean, including Iberia and Africa, whilst admitting that often there is little archaeological evidence for Africa west of the Nile. Broodbank also emphasises that the story is not of progress, but of change, and that there are losers as well as winners as times change.
The book is well illustrated (as you would expect from Thames & Hudson) with an excellent map at the beginning of each chapter detailing the position of sites mentioned in that chapter, as well plenty of black & white illustrations and about 50 colour illustrations. I bought the Kindle version, which was good to jump around, but have also bought the hardback for the illustrations and map, which a Kindle cannot really show to best advantage.
A really readable and enlightening book. I now want to learn more, especially about the Stone Age and Neanderthals, but that is what a good book does.
September 14, 2023
One can't help but to be impressed with this sweeping synthesis of a range of time from how tectonic forces brought the Mediterranean into being, through the various "stone ages" of Human existence, up to the verge of the Persian wars with the Greek city states. In telling this story, Broodbank privileges the particular adaptions to environmental niches in the wine-dark sea, always carefully correlating various cultures with the climatic conditions of the time.
Perhaps the historic break point that best illustrates what Broodbank is about is his personal take on the great crack-up that saw the palace culture of the High Bronze Age overthrown. Not to dismiss the destructiveness of it all, he also is not impressed with these cultures simply because of their literacy. Broodbank sees the authoritarian tendencies of the Egyptian New Kingdom, the Hittites, and the like, as begging for an overthrow by more agile and adaptive societies; societies that laid the immediate foundation of the Classical World.
While Broodbank deserves all the praise he has received, I do have a few caveats here. One is that the earlier the period he is covering, the more aplomb that the man displays; by the time one reaches the "Iron Age" (Broodbank dislikes the old periodization based on material culture), the book starts to feel like a gallop as Broodbank races past the final turn. Also, the more reading you have done in anthropology and ancient cultures the more you're likely to get out of this work, as connections between cultures, rather than the cultures themselves, is the real subject of this book. This is also more a book that one dips into in places, rather than read it cover to cover as I did.
Rounding up from 4.5.
Perhaps the historic break point that best illustrates what Broodbank is about is his personal take on the great crack-up that saw the palace culture of the High Bronze Age overthrown. Not to dismiss the destructiveness of it all, he also is not impressed with these cultures simply because of their literacy. Broodbank sees the authoritarian tendencies of the Egyptian New Kingdom, the Hittites, and the like, as begging for an overthrow by more agile and adaptive societies; societies that laid the immediate foundation of the Classical World.
While Broodbank deserves all the praise he has received, I do have a few caveats here. One is that the earlier the period he is covering, the more aplomb that the man displays; by the time one reaches the "Iron Age" (Broodbank dislikes the old periodization based on material culture), the book starts to feel like a gallop as Broodbank races past the final turn. Also, the more reading you have done in anthropology and ancient cultures the more you're likely to get out of this work, as connections between cultures, rather than the cultures themselves, is the real subject of this book. This is also more a book that one dips into in places, rather than read it cover to cover as I did.
Rounding up from 4.5.
February 26, 2024
Not exactly what I was expecting but I'm pleasantly surprised. This was an incredibly comprehensive overview of basically everything that has happened to the Mediterranean and the landmasses that would eventually become the Mediterranean. Everything from tectonic shifts to prehistoric wildlife to changing sea levels is covered in depth. Humans don't get much coverage until about midway through chapter 3, and even then the humans discussed were not quite anatomically modern. Somewhat modern faming cultures aren't discussed until much later. I found some sections to be almost painfully longwinded, particularly the comprehensive breakdowns of what was going on in highly localized places at specific times, but if that's what you're in to then give it a shot.
October 15, 2017
Well this was a slog of a book. It is first and foremost, an incredibly ambitious project to summarize, in a big picture kind of way, the complete history of the Mediterranean, from before man left Africa, up to 500BC. There are some really excellent bits of info in this book, as well as, as I think the author intended, a new way to look at the settlements and migration patterns throughout this time period. A particularly in teresting segment for me was to learn that the Mediterranean was closed off from the Atlantic for a period and during this time was only a number of lakes and dramatic waterfalls, such as the Nile estuary. This allowed for possible migrations that weren't along the circumference, although the mountains and valleys of the sea bed were likely deteriment to most.
This all being said, this book would serve better as a text for university than a book to read for general interest. Much of this is the tendency of the author to run on in segments that could have been edited far more concisely. This book could easily have been about 100 pages shorter.
This all being said, this book would serve better as a text for university than a book to read for general interest. Much of this is the tendency of the author to run on in segments that could have been edited far more concisely. This book could easily have been about 100 pages shorter.
December 14, 2017
Excellent, can't recommend highly enough. The best book I've ever read on the subject.
March 30, 2017
This provides such a wealth of information about current thinking on human evolution, genetics, history and migration that the fire-hose comes to mind. Broodbank poses great questions: why did humans go east, via the Near East, instead of trying to cross the Middle Sea (Mediterranean)? Why would hunter-gatherers accede to emerging sedentary agricultural approaches, instead of maintaining their life-style? And the questions I'm waiting to hear answered: is it possible Celtic culture moved east from the Atlantic Coast of Europe, as well as west to Britain and Ireland? What was the "warrior culture" that adopted horses, chariots, and bronze weapons? How widespread?
July 22, 2014
Superb and detailed book on the pre-history and deep history/time of the Mediterranean, recommended!
August 2, 2016
Full of amazingly interesting information but at times the writing is unnecessarily difficult.
November 25, 2021
want to re-read. great maps. traces abrupt warming that changed the "playing field for humanity."
February 23, 2021
This is a great book for anyone who is curious and eager to understand current theories and insight on why things have happened over the last 50000 years in the Mediterranean world and what all had to happen so that the Classical World could emerge the way it has. It covers huge scope and yet is doing great work in making sure that critical evidence, critical data points are provided and referenced that are the foundation of the theories. If you want to get some more insights on why Egypt become the powerhouse it was, what had been the main factors for modern humans to move beyond a species of hunters always on the verge of extinction to building amazing palaces etc.. this a great book for you.
If you want to dive into the key drivers for the many changes this book will give be a great guide.
On a personal note, I would have loved to have this kind of approach throughout my History classes during my Highschool days. There just was no discussion on why things happened, why societies appeared and then disappeared. There was not a lot of talk about how certain events, climate changes, democratization of metal (iron vs bronze) etc. and how all of these factors at the end shaped the way Mediterranean History evolved.
This books starts with roots of the modern Human in Africa, the exodus from Afrika and is ending around 500 BC
If you want to dive into the key drivers for the many changes this book will give be a great guide.
On a personal note, I would have loved to have this kind of approach throughout my History classes during my Highschool days. There just was no discussion on why things happened, why societies appeared and then disappeared. There was not a lot of talk about how certain events, climate changes, democratization of metal (iron vs bronze) etc. and how all of these factors at the end shaped the way Mediterranean History evolved.
This books starts with roots of the modern Human in Africa, the exodus from Afrika and is ending around 500 BC
July 4, 2025
Most of my knowledge on the Mediterranean is focussed on the Greeks, Romans and the Bronze Age Collapse with a smattering of titbits about other regions and eras. Reading an overview of the history of the region from the first human arrivals to the start of the Roman and Greek civilisations was educational. The book being interesting to read and relatively easy to follow at least for somebody with some basic knowledge on the subject, although obviously it is an overview, hardly doing a real justice if you are interested in more details about say Sardinia, Lydia, Iberia, the Adriatic or even the Minoans. It does tell a great story on what started as a large region with diverse cultures and how it slowly grew together into a more cohesive whole that most of us are familiar with the Romans. Mind you, I am not in a true position to judge the factual content of the book, but it notes clearly were the debates are going on and what it is about for the most part. If there is one thing I dislike, it is that while maps are provided at the start of a chapter, references to towns and local regions without any indication of countries made it at times difficult to judge exactly what specific region the book was talking about. Still that is a minor gripe. All in all, a great read and I am curious how much is changed whenever we get a 3rd edition.
October 9, 2022
A thoroughly amazing book of the history of the Mediterranean from the beginning to the emergence of the classical world. Beautiful in every way - copious illustrations, photographs and maps, beautifully written and a fascinating and comprehensive account of the Mediterranena in the distant past. It covers not only at the Egyptians, the Levant, the Aegean and Iberia, but period by period looks at the whole of the Mediterranean, the individual societies and the relationships between them, the emergence of common themes and differences., showing that well before the so-called 'ancient world' so much was happening, being made and traded.
It is a long and detailed read, but well worth it for those interested in the ancient world and making connections across pre-ancient societies, rather than focussing just on one culture.
It is a long and detailed read, but well worth it for those interested in the ancient world and making connections across pre-ancient societies, rather than focussing just on one culture.
May 10, 2020
A worthwhile endeavor to formulate a history OF the Mediterranean.
The author is engaging and thoughtful but like many "Big Picture" history books sometimes muddles the details.
That being said, the author does provide a wealth of material and references to supplement the big picture view of history presented in the book.
The book can vary from anecdotal to borderline academic jargon (some background in the subject is helpful... or have google handy.)
Highly recommend for anyone interested in the history and archaeology of the Mediterranean basin.
The author is engaging and thoughtful but like many "Big Picture" history books sometimes muddles the details.
That being said, the author does provide a wealth of material and references to supplement the big picture view of history presented in the book.
The book can vary from anecdotal to borderline academic jargon (some background in the subject is helpful... or have google handy.)
Highly recommend for anyone interested in the history and archaeology of the Mediterranean basin.
November 6, 2022
Outstanding history of the Mediterranean Sea and the polities surrounding it up until 500BC - or, to put it another way, history before Ancient History. An enjoyable, but not an easy read - some beautiful writing, but there is so much going on that I found myself putting it down from time to time for a break. But that says more about my concentration span than about this book. If you are interested in how history began in the Mediterranean area, this book is for you.
December 3, 2025
I had to think about the rating. This read like a textbook, with margins big enough to take notes. I learned a great deal. Broodbank uses lots of big words that slowed me down, but overall I found his story held together well. It deserves the praise it has received.
November 27, 2021
Tough to get through but deep insides into early history of mankind in the interesting area of the Mediterranean
July 16, 2025
incredible
Read
April 25, 2014937 B871 2013
January 27, 2016
Loved this book........
Read
April 28, 2015Abandoned. Too dense.
Read
March 1, 2019A comprehensive account of human interaction from earliest times to the dawn of the classical age. A fascinating interpretation of this important area of the world. But is perhaps too detailed for the general reader.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews