Cultural memory and early civilization
Subtitle: writing, remembrance, and political imagination
By: Jan  Assmann
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Cambridge; New York
Language: eng
ISBN-13: 9780521763813; 9780521188029
Subjects: Collective memory; Politics and culture; Ancient Civilization; HISTORY / Ancient / General; Interpersonal communication; Civilization; Group identity; Memory; Written communication; History
Description: "Now available to an English-speaking audience, this book presents a groundbreaking theoretical analysis of memory, identity, and culture. It investigates how cultures remember, arguing that human memory exists and is communicated in two ways, namely inter-human interaction and in external systems of notation, such as writing, which can span generations. Dr. Assmann defines two theoretical concepts of cultural memory, differentiating between the long-term memory of societies, which can span up to 3,000 years, and communicative memory, which is typically restricted to 80-100 years. He applies this theoretical framework to case studies of four specific cultures, illustrating the function contexts and specific achievements, including the state, international law, religion, and science. Ultimately, his research demonstrates that memory is not simply a means of retaining information, but rather a force that can shape cultural identity and allow cultures to respond creatively to both daily challenges and catastrophic changes"--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: pt. 1. The theoretical basis; title: Memory culture; title: Written culture; title: Cultural identity and political imagination; title: pt. 2. Case studies; title: Egypt; title: Israel and the invention of religion; title: The birth of history from the spirit of the law; title: Greece and disciplined thinking; title: Cultural memory : a summary.