Comments on: The Rise of Sumerian Culture http://ahotcupofjoe.net/2007/02/the-rise-of-sumerian-culture/ Archaeology, anthropology, science, and skepticism Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:35:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: audrey hall-mendoza http://ahotcupofjoe.net/2007/02/the-rise-of-sumerian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-152 audrey hall-mendoza Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:11:43 +0000 http://ahotcupofjoe.wordpress.com/2007/02/14/the-rise-of-sumerian-culture/#comment-152 How might the trails discovered by Dr Spencer Wells,* using the genetic markers/DNA approach be useful in trying to solve the "pre-Sumerian" history of peoples who either "emmigrated" to . . or who were native-to. that region? In viewing the pathways traveled by that recurring "marker," there seem to be several possibles, and the one most intriguing to me, is that of the central branch moving from the northern steppes east of Central Asia, BACK toward its ultimate European landing spot. . (.the route which was, as he admitted, the most surprising to Dr. Wells, hailing as he does from No. Europe! * ( "Journey of Man," Dr.Spencer Wells) How might the trails discovered by Dr Spencer Wells,* using the genetic
markers/DNA approach be useful in trying to solve the “pre-Sumerian”
history of peoples who either “emmigrated” to . . or who were native-to.
that region? In viewing the pathways traveled by that recurring “marker,”
there seem to be several possibles, and the one most intriguing to me,
is that of the central branch moving from the northern steppes east of
Central Asia, BACK toward its ultimate European landing spot. . (.the route which was, as he admitted, the most surprising to Dr. Wells, hailing as he does from No. Europe! * ( “Journey of Man,” Dr.Spencer Wells)

]]> By: miami_mike http://ahotcupofjoe.net/2007/02/the-rise-of-sumerian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-151 miami_mike Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:39:00 +0000 http://ahotcupofjoe.wordpress.com/2007/02/14/the-rise-of-sumerian-culture/#comment-151 I'm curious about Sumerian artifacts being found under temples being from earlier times than this found in other places. I assume that the artifacts found under temples have to do with religion. Is it possible that they were hired as priests and clerks from someplace else? Maybe they would travel regularly back and forth before a disaster necessitated a mass move. Maybe they got a business offer. This follows Andrés' idea of a cultural exchange and cfeagans' immigration idea. I’m curious about Sumerian artifacts being found under temples being from earlier times than this found in other places. I assume that the artifacts found under temples have to do with religion. Is it possible that they were hired as priests and clerks from someplace else? Maybe they would travel regularly back and forth before a disaster necessitated a mass move. Maybe they got a business offer. This follows Andrés’ idea of a cultural exchange and cfeagans’ immigration idea.

]]> By: Andrés http://ahotcupofjoe.net/2007/02/the-rise-of-sumerian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-150 Andrés Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:53:00 +0000 http://ahotcupofjoe.wordpress.com/2007/02/14/the-rise-of-sumerian-culture/#comment-150 I know this is several months old, but still, i agree with Martin in that difusionism can't be the defacto answer; ultimately, all it does is kick around time and space the same question: how did those cultural changes develop?.<br/><br/>However, Hans Nissen wrote an interesting analysis based on pottery; <br/><br/>Nissen, H. J. (1982) in Cuyler Young and others (eds.) The Hilly Flanks and Beyond, Chicago. I know this is several months old, but still, i agree with Martin in that difusionism can’t be the defacto answer; ultimately, all it does is kick around time and space the same question: how did those cultural changes develop?.

However, Hans Nissen wrote an interesting analysis based on pottery;

Nissen, H. J. (1982) in Cuyler Young and others (eds.) The Hilly Flanks and Beyond, Chicago.

]]> By: CFeagans http://ahotcupofjoe.net/2007/02/the-rise-of-sumerian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-149 CFeagans Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:57:00 +0000 http://ahotcupofjoe.wordpress.com/2007/02/14/the-rise-of-sumerian-culture/#comment-149 Interesting point. The "mountain origin" is but one hypothesis and the nature of the language leaves us high and dry with regard to their true origin. Being an isolate language, there are no obvious parent tongues that it could have originated from -I'm sure a lot has to do with the fact that there simply aren't any written records from which to trace the linguistic evolution.<br/><br/>But the Sumerian language is distinct from Mesopotamian contemporaries and this is the best evidence, I think, that the Sumerians are immigrants. That they were always there, however, is one of the hypotheses. <br/><br/>Anyway, this post comes from a collection of notes I'm using for a presentation on the Sumerian culture that I'm giving next Tuesday. I thought I should share them here and possibly get some feedback.<br/><br/>Thanks for the feedback! Interesting point. The “mountain origin” is but one hypothesis and the nature of the language leaves us high and dry with regard to their true origin. Being an isolate language, there are no obvious parent tongues that it could have originated from -I’m sure a lot has to do with the fact that there simply aren’t any written records from which to trace the linguistic evolution.

But the Sumerian language is distinct from Mesopotamian contemporaries and this is the best evidence, I think, that the Sumerians are immigrants. That they were always there, however, is one of the hypotheses.

Anyway, this post comes from a collection of notes I’m using for a presentation on the Sumerian culture that I’m giving next Tuesday. I thought I should share them here and possibly get some feedback.

Thanks for the feedback!

]]> By: Martin http://ahotcupofjoe.net/2007/02/the-rise-of-sumerian-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-148 Martin Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:18:00 +0000 http://ahotcupofjoe.wordpress.com/2007/02/14/the-rise-of-sumerian-culture/#comment-148 Couldn't the "typically Sumerian" cultural traits have been invented by people living in Mesopotamia? Just because there's cultural change it doesn't men that a new population has arrived. To accept migration, I'd like to see those hypothetical mountaintop shrines and some proto-Sumerian settlement sites in the hills. Couldn’t the “typically Sumerian” cultural traits have been invented by people living in Mesopotamia? Just because there’s cultural change it doesn’t men that a new population has arrived. To accept migration, I’d like to see those hypothetical mountaintop shrines and some proto-Sumerian settlement sites in the hills.

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