During the third millennium BC, the huge geographical area stretching between the Mediterranean in the west and the Indus Valley in the east witnessed the rise of a commercial network of unmatched proportions and intensity, within which the Persian Gulf for long periods functioned as a central node. In this book, Laursen and Steinkeller examine the nature of cultural and commercial contacts between Babylonia, the Gulf region, and Indus Civilization. Focusing on the third and early second millennia BC, and using both archaeological data and the evidence of ancient written sources, their study offers an up-to-date synthetic picture of the history of interactions across this vast region. In addition to giving detailed characterizations and evaluations of contacts in various periods, the book also treats a number of important related issues, such as the presence of Amorites in the Gulf (in particular, their role in the rise of the Tilmun center on Bahrain Island); the alleged existence of Meluhhan commercial outposts in Babylonia; and the role that the seaport of Gu’abba played in Babylonia’s interactions with the Gulf region and southeastern Iran.
Preface
1. Introduction: Working Premise
Confronting and Combining Archaeology and Texts
Some Methodological Considerations
2. The Prehistoric Foundation (ca. 6000–2650 BC)
3. The Pre-Sargonic Period (ca. 2650–2350 BC)Archaeology
Texts
4. The Sargonic Period (ca. 2350–2200 BC)Archaeology
Texts
5. Makkan and Tilmun between ca. 2200 and ca. 2100 BC
6. The Ur III Period (ca. 2100–2000 BC)Archaeology
Texts
The Role of Amorites in Tilmun and Makkan
7. The Post-Ur III Period (2000–1800 BC)Archaeology
Texts
8. The Role of Guʾabba as Babylonia’s Main Seaport and a Major Textile Production Center
8.1. Guʾabba, the Seaport
8.2. Guʾabba, the Town
8.2.1 The Shipyard
8.2.2 The Caravanserai
8.2.3. The Weaving Establishment
Excursus: The Textile Industry at Ur
9. Contacts between Babylonia and Meluhha in the Late Third Millennium
9.1. A Meluhhan Settlement in Southern Babylonia?
9.2. Contacts between Babylonia and Meluhha
10. Conclusion
Appendix 1. The Ur III and Isin Texts Bearing on the Gulf Trade
Appendix 2. The Seaworthy Ships of Babylonia, the "Makkan Ships," and the Cylinder Seals of the "Big Ships" Personnel from Failaka and Bahrain
1. Big Ships and Big Ship Captains
2. Ships of Makkan
3. Boat Construction
4. The Cylinder Seals Owned by the Personnel of "Big Ships" from Failaka and Bahrain
Appendix 3. The Babylonian Burial Jar in the Gulf Countries
