As an aspiring archaeologist, what important books would you recommend I read if I want to learn up on the different cultures within the cradle of civilization. I'm already plan on getting Histories by Herodotus, The Book of the Dead, and the Epic of Gilgamesh.
As an archaeologist, I’d suggest you start with more archaeological works even if they might be a bit boring.
Maybe start with Renfrew and Bahn’s Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice.
Also possibly check out some of these titles:
Dalley, S. 2000 rev. ed. Myths from Mesopotamia. Oxford University Press.
Foster, B. 2005 (3rd ed.). Before the Muses: Anthology of Akkadian Literature. CDL Press.
George, A. 1999. The Epic of Gilgamesh. Penguin.
Kuhrt, A. 1995. The Ancient Near East, c 3000-330 BC. Routledge.
Postgate, J.N. 1992. Early Mesopotamia, Society and Economy at the Dawn of History. Routledge.
Snell, D. 1997. Life in the Ancient Near East. Yale University Press.
van de Mieroop, M. 2003. A History of the Ancient Near East, c 3000-323 BC. Blackwell.