The Origins of administrative practices and their developments in Greater Mesopotamia. The evidence from Arslantepe

Arslantepe Mound, located in southeastern Turkey, provides pivotal evidence for the emergence of early administrative practices in Greater Mesopotamia. Excavations at the site reveal sophisticated bureaucratic systems dating back to the 4th millennium BCE, including proto-cuneiform script and organized storage facilities. These findings challenge traditional narratives by demonstrating that complex administration predates the rise of large-scale states like those in Sumer. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating archaeological, epigraphic, and artifact analysis to reconstruct administrative developments. This research underscores Arslantepe's role as a crucible for state formation, offering insights into the transition from local governance to centralized rule.

Frangipane, M. (2016). The Origins of administrative practices and their developments in Greater Mesopotamia. The evidence from Arslantepe. Archéo-Nil. Revue de La Société Pour L’étude Des Cultures Prépharaoniques de La Vallée Du Nil, 26(1), 9–32. https://doi.org/10.3406/arnil.2016.1101