Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East

The art and architecture of the ancient Near East, focusing on Mesopotamia and Syria-Palestine ("the Fertile Crescent"). Civilizations studied include the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Hittites, Assyrians, and Persians, all of which contributed greatly to the growth of later Western culture. Archaeological evidence is combined with primary sources such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, and museum visits are encouraged.