Prehistoric hunter-gatherers : the emergence of cultural complexity

Author(s)

• Price, T. Douglas (Theron Douglas)
• Brown, James Allison

Bibliographic Information

Prehistoric hunter-gatherers : the emergence of cultural complexity

edited by T. Douglas Price, James A. Brown

（Studies in archaeology）

Academic Press, 1985

• : pbk.

Note

Includes bibliographies and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Prehistoric Hunters-Gatherers: The Emergence of Cultural Complexity focuses on the emergence of cultural complexity among hunter-gatherers. This book presents the demographic, ecological, and social perspectives that add to the understanding of the emergence of more elaborate organization. Organized into four parts encompassing 17 chapters, this book begins with an overview of previous perspectives on cultural complexity and suggests directions in the study of change. This text then proposes a synthesis of both ecological and social approaches as a more powerful interpretative framework for the study of complexity. Other chapters consider the relationship between population and social complexity in an elaboration of major argument regarding demographic pressure and cultural change. This book provides as well an intriguing look at the regional consequences of their focus on whaling. The final chapter characterizes approaches to hunter-gatherer complexity and reiterates the significance of change in human society prior to the adoption of domesticated animals and plants. This book is a valuable resource for archeologists and anthropologists.

Table of Contents

Contributors Preface Acknowledgments Part I Theoretical Considerations 1 Aspects of Hunter-Gatherer Complexity Retrospect Hunter-Gatherer Complexity Conclusions References 2 Prehistoric Developments in the American Midcontinent and in Brittany, Northwest France Introduction: The Fallacy of "Hot" and "Cold" Societies Mesolithic and Archaic Transitions Neolithic and Woodland Conclusions: Just a Just-So Story? Notes References 3 Complexity and Scale in the Study of Fisher-Gatherer-Hunters: An Example from the Eastern United States Fisher-Gatherer-Hunters: A Quindecennial Reexamination Advances in the Understanding of Complexity among FGH Societies Toward a Synthetic Processual Anthropology Complexity in the Shell Mound Archaic of Western Kentucky The "Theoretical Twilight" Zone Notes References 4 Prehistoric Hunter-Gatherers: The Meaning of Social Complexity Egalitarian Structures Population Growth and Hunter-Gatherer Homeostasis Social Complexity as an Economic Buffer Population Density and Social Conflict Testing the Model Summary Notes References Part II North America 5 Whaling as an Organizing Focus in Northwestern Alaskan Eskimo Societies Introduction The Protohistoric Baseline The Economic and Dietary Importance of Whaling The Prehistoric Situation Development of Complexity in a Northern Hunting Society, A.D. 800 to Contact: A Model Conclusion References 6 Hierarchies, Stress, and Logistical Strategies Among Hunter-Gatherers in Northwestern North America Introduction Subsistence Strategies, Intensification, and Information Archaeological Implications Discussion and Conclusions Notes References 7 Complex Hunter-Gatherers in Interior British Columbia Introduction The Middle Fraser Canyon Measuring Inequality Identifying the Sources of Inequality Discussion and Conclusions References 8 Long-Term Trends to Sedentism and the Emergence of Complexity in the American Midwest Introduction Explanation of Sedentism Long-Term Change Cost-Benefit Arguments Risk-Management Practices The Midwest Archaeological Record The Challenge of the Midwest Record Conclusion References Part III Old World 9 Patterns of Intensification as Seen from the Upper Paleolithic of the Central Russian Plain Introduction The Study Area Chronology Chronological Changes in Man-Land Relations Chronological Changes in Man-Man Relations Conclusion References 10 The Ecological Basis of Social Complexity in the Upper Paleolithic of Southwestern France Introduction Ecological Features of the Upper Paleolithic The Role of Salmon in Upper Paleolithic Procurement Systems Demographic and Social Patterns Stability and Change in the Upper Paleolithic Sequence References 11 Ritual Communication, Social Elaboration, and the Variable Trajectories of Paleolithic Material Culture Introduction Paleolithic Art and Sociocultural Inferences Ritual Communication and Social Hierarchies Paleolithic Art as Formalized Systems of Visual Communication Differential Trajectories Some Conclusions Notes References 12 Mobility in the Early Mesolithic of Northwestern Europe: An Alternative Explanation Introduction The Early Mesolithic Crisis The Irish Evidence The English Evidence The Southern Scandinavian Evidence Discussion References 13 Affluent Foragers of Mesolithic Southern Scandinavia Introduction Land and Sea Flora and Fauna Prehistory of Southern Scandinavia Aspects of Change Affluence and Complexity References 14 Preagricultural Sedentism: The Natufian Example Introduction System Stability Archaeological Evidence from the Levant Stability in the Natufian Summary References 15 Intensification and Australian Prehistory Introduction Static Models Intensification Archaeology Discussion Social Forces Summary and Wider Implications References Part IV Retrospect and Prospect 16 "Now Let's Invent Agriculture. . .": A Critical Review of Concepts of Complexity Among Hunter-Gatherers Adaptational versus Transformational Explanations of Change What is Affluence among Hunter-Gatherers? How Do Hunter-Gatherers Intensify? Mobility Versus Sedentism References 17 Complex Hunter-Gatherers: Retrospect and Prospect Major Themes Approaches to Explanation Prospects References Index

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

• NCID: BA01114020
• ISBN:
  • 0125647506
  • 0125647514
• LCCN: 84006364
• Country Code: us
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Place of Publication: San Diego ; Tokyo
• Pages/Volumes: xviii, 450 p.
• Size: 24 cm
• Classification:
  • LCC : GN741
  • DC19 : 306/.3
• Subject Headings:
  • LCSH : Man, Prehistoric -- Congresses
  • LCSH : Hunting and gathering societies -- Congresses
  • LCSH : Social evolution -- Congresses
• Parent Bibliography ID:
  • BA00374241