No one could ask for more than that. {ggg}.
>... the post-war impact of Marxism on academic thought has been frightening ... had a huge negative impact on archaeology ...and led to a continuing emphasis on archaeology of the Mediterranean instead of worldwide considerations.
An interesting point. I believe Blam and others would share your apparent enthusiasm for a more global perspective.
I marvel at the academic (religious) interest of only 200 years causing intense focus on the Mediterranean. Without that religious yearning for truth, not only would Americas great educational institutions (of virtually every founding denomination) not exist, but such other assets as the Oriental Institute would not exist either. (That many have subsequently become diverted is another matter...)
It is unfortunate so few appreciate the true roots of that science we call Archeology, it's genesis being intense interest in the Israelites, and that interest almost entirely by those who did not realize (initially or publicly at least) that they were Israelites as well; the presumeably "Lost" Israelites.
Indeed.
On another subject: I'm reading Brian Fagan's book Floods, Famines and Emperors, he says that the world's human population in 13,000BC was 8.5 million. (I know you like population numbers)