Location: Syria Length: 27 min
The discovery of stone blades at Bronze Age sites in Syria and elsewhere in the Fertile Crescent began an archaeological detective story that has led to a remarkable conclusion: the threshing sledge, once thought to be only several hundred years old, was in full use 5,000 years ago and probably much earlier. This film shows how archaeological remains, experimental research and analysis of cuneiform documents together pointed to this conclusion. Knowledge of this ancient instrument promotes understanding of an ecologically balanced agricultural system.
Copyright 2000 by CNRS Université Laval
Produced by Patricia C. Anderson and Philippe Aigouy
You may purchase this video as a VHS cassette in PAL (European and Australian version) or NTSC (North American version) or as a CD-ROM. For an NTSC video cassette ($20 Canadian or $15 US), send your order by regular mail to Laval University in Quebec, or by fax to 418-656-5727.
For the PAL version (150 FF for VHS tape) or a CD-ROM in MPEG format (100 FF), contact Patricia Anderson by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by regular mail. You will be asked for payment, including shipping (25 FF within Europe, 50 FF outside Europe), upon receipt.
Web links:
Early Agricultural Remnants and Agricultural Heritage (EARTH)