Reviewed by annieb123 on
Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins is a catalog guide to accompany an exhibition at the J. Paul Getty museum on the rise of Mesopotamia and its place and influence in the emerging world. Released April 7th 2020 by Getty Publications, it's 236 pages and available in hardcover format.
This is a lavishly illustrated volume with well written subject essays by well known scholars of cultural and ancient history. The exhibition is on loan from the Louvre under the auspices of a collaborative effort between the Getty, the Louvre, and several other institutions.
This volume would make a good selection for students of ancient art, history, anthropology, arts, and ancient language and culture. It is written in a meticulous and scholarly style, but as a layperson I had no problems understanding and learning from the included essays.
The exhibition is scheduled to run at the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center from March 18 to 27th July, 2020. Given the current climate of the world with regard to travel, the status of the exhibition and access to the museum and exhibits is unclear, but this beautiful volume is an acceptable alternative.
Five stars, this is a sterling exhibition catalog and will have value long after the exhibit is over.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 5 July, 2020: Finished reading
- 5 July, 2020: Reviewed