The series of which this volume forms a part offers a comprehensive overview of all of human history from two million years ago to the historic period. Prepared under the auspices and with the support of the human relations area files and an internationally distinguished advisory board and edited by Peter N. Peregrine and Melvin Ember, the encyclopaedia is organized regionally with entries on each major archaeological tradition written by experts in the field. The entries follow a standard format and employ comparable units of description and analysis, making them easy to use and compare. This particular volume focuses on South and Southwest Asia.