Synopses & Reviews
All that is central to the dynamic process in human society is evident in the study of hunter-gatherers - peoples whose subsistence way of life reflects the original form of human adaptation. This is the thesis of these wide-ranging volumes in which internationally leading scholars consider hunter-gatherer peoples in Africa, Asia, Australia and North America and reflect theoretically on the hunter-gatherer condition. Volume I takes a close look that the history, evolution and social change of hunter-gatherers, while Volume II looks at their property, power, and ideology. Together they offer a thorough overview, perfect for Social Anthropology courses.
Synopsis
One of two volumes based on communications to the Fourth International Conference on Hunting and Gathering Societies held in London in September 1986, in the week following the Southampton World Archaeological Conference. Sixteen papers: hunters and gatherers and outsiders (N H Bird-David, J Woodburn, D K Ndagala); sedentism and change (J Pedersen, P M Gardner, O Sandbukt, R Ellen); historical and evolutionary transformations (M Hall, H Lourandos, W H Marquardt, G Palsson); comparative approaches (R Foley, E A Smith, R B Lee, Tim Ingold) . Now available in paperback.
Synopsis
The chapters in this book set aside once and for all the view that hunter-gatherer society is unchanging and alters only in response to external impacts. Social change is without doubt inherent even at the level of the most basic human community. Such dynamics can be understood only by examining both the nature of the social relationship the strategies and techniques of food-getting.
About the Author
Tim Ingold is in the Department of Social Anthropology, University of Manchester.
David Riches is in the Department of Social Anthropology, University of St. Andrews.
James Woodburn is in the Department of Social Anthropology, London School of Economics.
Table of Contents
1. History, evolution, and social change -- 2. Property, power, and ideology.