Chadwick/First Civilizations, 1. History and archaeology as tools

The book begins with a short exposition on the role of history and archaeology in understanding the past. The chapter then examines the borad question, 'Why study ancient Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt'? and goes on to discuss the origins of historical writings, calendars and astronomical dates, the importance of annals and 'king' lists' and introduces other tools and methodologies used by historians and archaeologists such as dating techniques, the written record and oral traditions, pottery, other sources such as numismatics.