Central Asian Cultures, Arts, and Architecture: Inner Eurasia from Prehistory to the Medieval Golden Ages

(Hardback, Second Edition, New Edition)

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Central Asia Cultures, Arts, and Architecture presents a journey through time, analyzing the history of Central Asian cultures, arts, and architecture since prehistoric times. It includes documentation of historical, cultural, artistic, and architectural accomplishments, and combines writings based on archaeological excavations and research of prehistoric, ancient, and medieval sites, as well as translations of ancient and medieval historical sources by Russian, Chinese, and other indigenous scholars. For over seven thousand years, Central Asian residents have left a record of distinguished cultural artifacts. Like creators of any age or period, they sought to respond as creatively as possible to the necessities of their societies as a whole, and those of their individual patrons. In doing so, as this book reveals, they have given us a timeless source through which we can detect the dynamic stages of their creativity throughout history, as well as the breath of our own rich cultural and artistic heritage.

Reviews

A lucid and readable introduction to the art of an important region of the world, this book will be very useful to students." - Ruth Vanita, University of Montana -- Ruth Vanita, University of Montana
"A sweeping survey of the material and artistic culture of the peoples of Central Asia from the paleolithic era to the medieval period, this thoroughly-researched book takes a fresh look at a rich and varied region at the nexus of east and west." Robert H. Greene, University of Montana -- Robert H. Greene, University of Montana
As with the previous edition, this elegant and erudite book introduces students and scholars alike to Inner Eurasia as a world region of major significance today. With meticulous attention to little known archaeological and historical sources from the former Soviet Union as well as contemporary scholars from the region, the medieval Golden Age of Samarkand and other major urban centers are contextualized by much older cultural accomplishments of the prehistoric peoples of Central Asia. A richly woven past revealed through excavations and archival descriptions of material culture, this book deserves a wide readership for its synthesis of anthropology and archeology, art, history, and regional world studies. -- G.G. Weix, University of Montana
Ardi Kia makes a thorough and in-depth examination of the different stages of history in all areas of central Asia. The second edition of Central Asian Cultures, Arts, and Architecture is definitely a valuable resource for students and faculty. -- Zhen Cao, University of Montana

Author Bio

Dr. Ardi Kia is co-director of Central and Southwest Asian Studies Program at the University of Montana.