The Birth of Civilization in the Near East

"The Birth of Civilization in the Near East" by Henri Frankfort is a historical exploration of how civilization started in Egypt and Mesopotamia. It looks at the new social and political developments that showed a big change in human society. The book studies the connection between culture, government, and new technologies during this important time. It begins by explaining how difficult it is to understand the origins of civilization, focusing on the need to study the special political and social systems that arose in ancient societies. It also talks about how cultural practices changed because of the environment and the importance of farming, irrigation, and community organization as basic parts of early civilizations. By setting up his method, Frankfort gets readers ready for a detailed look into the unique qualities of Egyptian and Mesopotamian societies and their important contributions to civilization.