An Ancient Mesopotamian Herbal. 2024. 20 b/w illus. 200 p. Hardcover. - 234 x 156 mm

Throughout the world, traditional medical systems continue to be important to healthcare. They vary greatly in their underlying beliefs, but almost all share the use of herbal medicines as a central practice. Ancient Mesopotamia - the area of modern-day Iraq and adjoining regions - offers a special opportunity to study such medical practice in antiquity. Many thousands of clay tablets survive, some over 5,000 years old, bearing texts relating to life in the past.

Drawing on the expertise of Assyriologists, botanists and archaeologists, An Ancient Mesopotamian Herbal explores the deep history of plants in traditional medicine and offers a groundbreaking reassessment of existing research.

Combining methods from the humanities and science, the authors provide a concise overview of ancient Mesopotamian culture and herbal lore, along with new identifications of Assyrian and Babylonian herbal medicines, focusing on 25 case studies.