A thorough exploration of the nature and processes that led to civilization can be successfully accomplished by examining well-known archaeological areas in depth and within a comparative framework. This newly revised edition of Ancient Civilizations embraces this useful approach and remains the only in-depth overview that provides detailed discussions of both New World and Old World civilizations within the same book. The material is well presented in a lively yet authoritative manner by two highly regarded anthropologists. All educators and students concerned with the factual and theoretical issues surrounding ancient civilizations in the Near East, South and Central Asia, and Mesoamerica will find this to be an indispensable volume. A considerably expanded concluding chapter provides insights into some of the current debates about the development of ancient civilizations.