History of mankind: a global view of cultural and scientific development
History of mankind: a global view of cultural and scientific development
Volume I of the Unesco-sponsored ' History of Mankind ", which appears this month in its first English edition, is divided into two parts: Prehistory " by Jacquetta Hawkes, and The Beginnings of Civilization " by Sir Leonard Woolley, both archaeologists of world-wide reputation. In 920 richly illustrated pages the first volume takes the reader on a fascinating journey into man's earliest past through the Bronze Age to the development of civilizations in Sumer, Egypt and Elam, in Phcenecia, Crete, Anatolia, in India and China. Prehistory and the Beginnings of Civilization " describes what it was like to be a cave dweller and Stone Age hunter, a weaver, metal worker and farmer, how techniques, arts and crafts grew, and how languages and writing systems developed. It takes the reader back to the first gropings of the early ape-men in Africa and Asia in their efforts to make tools, control fire and forma language, to the mystery of the Indus Valley civilization at Mohenjo Daro and Harrapa, to the famous walled Great City of Shang " which set the foundations of Chinese civilization.
On the following pages, The Unesco Courier is privileged to offer its readers a few selected passages from the vast colourful tapestry of Volume I of " History of Mankind ", an international publishing venture of unparalleled importance.