Synopses & Reviews
This well illustrated, site-by-site survey of prehistory captures the popular interest, excitement, and visual splendor of archaeology as it provides insight into the research, interpretations, and theoretical themes in the field. The new edition maintains the authors' innovative solutions to two central problems of the course: first, the text continues to focus on about 80 sites, giving students less encyclopedic detail but essential coverage of the discoveries that have produced the major insights into prehistory; second, it continues to be organized into essays on sites and concepts, allowing professors complete flexibility in organizing their courses.
Synopsis
Now adopted as an introductory text in a number of US universities, this book has now gone into an updated second edition. Although it claims world-coverage, the focus is American. Focus boxes are used to discuss methodological and theoretical issues but the text is based on eighty sites from around the world; almost an opposite approach to Renfrew and Bahn which illustrates a theoretically-based text with site boxes. Colour illustrations and an upbeat text (referring to site sizes in terms of city blocks and football fields) make this a more exciting read than Renfrew and Bahn but, arguably, the structure makes it less useful for a European undergraduate. Very up-to-date with new site features on the Austrian ice-man, the Chauvet cave and Sipan in Peru and theoretical overviews of the debates on DNA, the end of the Neanderthals, farming in North America and other issues.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 531-544) and index.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Principles of Archaeology
IntroductionFundamentals of ArchaeologyThe Discovery of Archaeological Sites • Archaeological Excavation • Analysis of Archaeological Materials • Sites and Settlements • Interpretation of Archaeological InformationSummary: The Relevance of Archaeology
Chapter 2. The First Humans
Introduction: The Dawn of HumanityHadarThe Family TreeLaetoliDating MethodsSwartkransHunters or Scavengers?OlduvaiThe Leakey FamilyKoobi ForaThe First ToolsSummary: Bones, Stones, and Human Behavior in the Plio/Pleistocene
Chapter 3. Out of Africa: Homo erectus
Introduction: From Hominid to HumanThe Paleolithic PeriodTrinilClimate and Environment in the PleistoceneZhoukoudianThe First EuropeansTerra AmataPleistocene MammalsKalambo Falls and OlorgesailieThe Acheulean HandaxeSummary: The End of the Lower Paleolithic
Chapter 4. The Hunters
Introduction: The Rise of Homo sapiensThe Origins of LanguageThe Klasies River Mouth CavesModern and Ancient DNAThe Valley of the NeanderthalsShanidar CavePalynology • The Fate of the Neanderthals • The Upper PaleolithicDolni VestoniceThe Cave of LascauxPortable ArtPinceventSymbols and NotationLake Mungo, AustraliaRadiocarbon DatingBeringiaMonte VerdeLindenmeierPleistocene ExtinctionSummary: The End of the Paleolithic
Chapter 5. Postglacial Foragers
Introduction: The World After 8000 B.C.Mount SandelThe Postglacial Environment of EuropeVedbaekBone Chemistry and Prehistoric SubsistenceElands Bay CaveNittanoCarrier MillsThe Human SkeletonGatecliff ShelterSummary: Contemporary Hunter-Gatherers
Chapter 6. The Origins of Agriculture
Introduction: The First Farmers’Ain MallahaWheat, Barley, Pigs, Goats, and SheepAbu HureyraPaleoethnobotanyJerichoArchaeozoologyÇatalhöyükMehrgarhPotteryBan-po-ts’unRiceSpirit CaveEarly Metallurgy in ThailandGuilá Naquitz CaveZea maysTehuacánGuitarrero CaveAgriculture in Native North America • Breast-Feeding and Birth SpacingSummary: The Spread of Agriculture
Chapter 7. Native North Americans
Introduction: The Diversity of Native American LifePoverty PointHopewellThe Archaeology of ExchangeCahokiaMonumental ArchitectureMoundvilleGrave GoodsThe Draper SiteSnaketownStudying Community Plan at SnaketownChaco CanyonOzetteChiefsSummary: The Clash of Worlds
Chapter 8. Ancient Mesoamerica
Introduction: Early State Development in MesoamericaSan José MogoteNonresidential ArchitectureSan LorenzoThe Olmec HorizonEl MiradorCarved StoneMonte AlbánSettlement Pattern SurveysTeotihuacanThe Mesoamerican BallgameTikalRaised and Drained Fields • Tikal’s Monument RecordPalenqueWriting and CalendarsTulaChichén ItzáTenochtitlanAztec Markets • Human Sacrifice and CannibalismSummary: The End of Prehispanic Civilizations in Mexico
Chapter 9. South America: The Inca and Their Predecessors
Introduction: Prehispanic South AmericaEl ParaísoThe Maritime HypothesisChavín de HuántarThe Textiles of ParacasMocheThe Nazca LinesSipánTiwanakuChan ChanCuzco and Machu PicchuInca HighwaysHuánuco PampaSummary: The Organization of State Society
Chapter 10. Old World States and Empires
Introduction: The Old World After the Transition to AgricultureEriduTemplesUrukEarly Writing SystemsHarappa and Mohenjo-daroEconomic SpecializationHierakonpolisThe Cemetery at HierakonpolisGiza and Dynastic EgyptPyramidsAn-yangThe Roots of Chinese CuisineXianyangJenné-jenoGreat ZimbabweSummary: Theories of State Development
Chapter 11. Prehistoric Europe
Introduction: From the First Farmers to the Roman EmpireFranchthi CaveVarnaThe IcemanCharavinesThe Megaliths of Western EuropeStonehengeThe Aegean Bronze AgeKnossosMycenaeThe Bronze Age North of the AlpsBorum EshøjVixThe Bog PeopleMaiden CastleSummary: Lessons from Prehistoric Europe
In Conclusion The Past as Present and Future
Appendix: Common Measurement Conversions and Equivalents
Glossary
References
Credits
Index