World Prehistory and Archaeology: Pathways Through Time

Description

An Integrated Picture of Prehistory as an Active Process of Discovery World Prehistory and Archaeology: Pathways through Time, fourth edition, provides an integrated discussion of world prehistory and archaeological methods. This text emphasizes the relevance of how we know and what we know about our human prehistory. A cornerstone of World Prehistory and Archaeology is the discussion of prehistory as an active process of discovery. Methodological issues are addressed throughout the text to engage readers. Archaeological methods are introduced in the first two chapters. Succeeding chapters then address the question of how we know the past to provide an integrated presentation of prehistory. The fourth edition involves readers in the current state of archaeological research, revealing how archaeologists work and interpret what they find. Through the coverage of various new research, author Michael Chazan shows how archaeology is truly a global discipline. Learning Goals Upon completing this book, readers will be able to: * Gain new perspectives and insights into who we are and how our world came into being. * Think about humanity from the perspective of archaeology. * Appreciate the importance of the archaeological record for contemporary society. Part One: The Past is a Foreign Country: Getting from Here to There Introduction: Questions of Time and Ethics Chapter 1: Getting Started In Archaeology Chapter 2: Putting the Picture Together Part Two: Human Evolution Introduction: Our Place in Nature Chapter 3: Early Hominins Chapter 4: From Homo erectus To Neanderthals Chapter 5: The Origin of Modern Humans Chapter 6: The Peopling Of Australia and the New World Part Three: Perspectives on Agriculture Introduction: Definitions of Agriculture Chapter 7: Towers, Villages, and Longhouses Chapter 8: Mounds and Maize Chapter 9: A Feast of Diversity Part Four: The Development of Social Complexity Introduction: Defining Social Complexity Chapter 10: Complexity without the State Chapter 11: Cities, Pyramids, and Palaces: Early States of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Aegean Chapter 12: Locating the Source of Authority: Early States in Asia Chapter 13: From City to Empire: Social Complexity in Mesoamerica Chapter 14: Bringing the Four Parts Together: States and Empire in the Andes Epilogue Appendices References Name Index Subject Index