Цивилизации древней Азии сыграли важную роль в развитии человечества своими богатыми знаниями и удивительными достижениями. Ранние цивилизации Азии развивались на обширной территории от современных Афганистана и Аральского моря до Японии и Кореи, а также от территории современной Шри Ланки до островов юговосточной Азии.
Книга содержит введение в историю региона и расположенные в алфавитном порядке статьи, освещающие археологию, развитие сельского хозяйства и экономики, персоналии и политические институты, религию, торговлю, быт и др.
Beginning with an informative introduction that gives an overview of the major stands of Asian civilization from 5,000 B.C.E. to 1,100 C.E., this alphabetically arranged encyclopedia presents clear information on a wide variety of archaeological sites, significant persons, dynasties, and religious and other cultural practices. More than 900 articles cover Central and East Asia, the Southeastern Asian islands, the Indian subcontinent, and Japan and Korea. The entries are written clearly, though without much verve, and include cross-references in small capitals within the body. Entries for people begin with an italicized summary of the person's status and importance. Some articles include see also references at the end, with longer treatments generally terminating with lists of sources (usually two to six) for further reading. Weighting on the entries is appropriate, with shorter treatments for less significant people, places, or concepts (e.g., Chongdi, a Han emperor who ruled briefly) and more in-depth coverage for topics like Buddhism or Harappa (a great city of the Indus Valley Civilization).
