Myths of the Archaic State
Evolution of the Earliest Cities, States, and Civilizations
- Author: Norman Yoffee, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Date Published: March 2005
- availability: Available
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521521567
Paperback
Other available formats:
eBook
Looking for an inspection copy?
Please email [email protected] to enquire about an inspection copy of this book
-
In this ground-breaking work, Norman Yoffee shatters the prevailing myths underpinning our understanding of the evolution of early civilisations. He counters the emphasis in traditional scholarship on the rule of 'godly' and despotic male leaders and challenges the conventional view that early states were uniformly constituted bureaucratic and regional entities. Instead, by illuminating the role of slaves and soldiers, priests and priestesses, peasants and prostitutes, merchants and craftsmen, Yoffee depicts an evolutionary process centred on the concerns of everyday life. Drawing on evidence from ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and Mesoamerica, the author explores the variety of trajectories followed by ancient states, from birth to collapse, and explores the social processes that shape any account of the human past. This book offers a bold new interpretation of social evolutionary theory, and as such it is essential reading for any student or scholar with an interest in the emergence of complex society.
Read more- Offers a radical new interpretation of the origins of early civilization
- Presents a new multi-layered model for the development of states
- An invaluable introduction to theories of social evolution
Reviews & endorsements
'Myths of the Archaic State clears away the cobwebs of an earlier generation of anthropological thought and, in its strongest moments, points toward a new configuration of global history.' Science
See more reviews'Norman Yoffee identifies a series of what he terms 'myths' in archaeological thought, and then proceeds to demolish them one by one, using an astonishing array of case studies, from Mesopotamia to Chaco Canyon. His book is provocative, inspirational, transformative, and so full of small (and weighty) gems that it is a pleasure to read.' Katharina Schreiber, University of California, Santa Barbara
'A highly stimulating book that expounds a clear line of argument while maintaining an entertaining line of discourse. Yoffee has written a superb and exciting book that will provoke thought and discussion wherever it is read.' Roger Matthews, Institute of Archaeology, University College London
'Norman Yoffee has written an elegant witty, and substantive critique of neo-evolutionary theory in archaeological anthropology.' Philip Kohl, Wellesley College
'I strongly recommend Myths of the Archaic State to anyone interested in social evolution.' David Webster, Pennsylvania State University
'Profoundly interesting volume.' Bruce Trigger, McGill University
'… a very valuable and up-to-date contribution to one of the major research topics in the history of humankind.' Journal of Comparative Human Biology
Customer reviews
Not yet reviewed
Be the first to review
Review was not posted due to profanity
×Product details
- Date Published: March 2005
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521521567
- length: 292 pages
- dimensions: 247 x 175 x 26 mm
- weight: 0.59kg
- contains: 2 tables
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
1. Evolution of a factoid
2. Dimensions of power in the earliest states
3. The meaning of cities in the earliest states and civilizations
4. When complexity was simplified
5. Identity and agency in early states: case studies
6. The collapse of ancient states and civilizations
7. Social evolutionary trajectories
8. New rules of the game
9. Altered states: the evolution of history.
Related Books
related journals
Sorry, this resource is locked
Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email [email protected]
Register Sign in» Proceed
You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.
Continue ×Are you sure you want to delete your account?
This cannot be undone.
Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.
If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.
×