To create a sense of community, the class has been divided into small groups consisting of 6-8 students. You will keep the same group throughout the semester.

Each week, you will post your first response by Wednesday at 11:59 PM and you have until Sunday at 11:59 to respond to at least two of your classmates' comments.  If you do not respond to at least two classmates each week (making it a discussion), you will receive an incomplete on the assignment.

Discuss what sources are available from the earliest phases of the ancient Near East.  How can historians use the available evidence to shed light on the ancient Near East?  What are the limitations of the sources--versus later periods, for example?  In addition to your post, you should react meaningfully to what other members in the group have posted.  Pages 3-6 in your textbook should be particularly helpful in framing your response although be sure to consider the entire chapter as well as the course pages.

Make sure that your post conforms to the Guidelines for Discussion Posts to receive credit for this posting.