Before writing
By: by Denise Schmandt-Besserat ; foreword by William W. Hallo.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Published: 1992
Place of publication: Austin
Language: eng
Subjects: Tokens -- Middle East; Writing -- History; Middle East -- Antiquities
Description: The author presents a system of counters (tokens) which represented a breakthrough in communication. These tokens were small objects modeled in clay in various geometric forms used for counting and accounting for goods. The system has implications for studies in origins of civilization, communication, and mathematics.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: v. 1. From counting to cuneiform; title: v. 2. A catalog of Near Eastern tokens.