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Defining "culture" is an important step in undertaking archaeological research. Any thorough study of a particular culture first has to determine what that culture contains-- what particular time period, geographic region, and group of people make up that culture. The study of archaeology has many accepted definitions of particular cultures, but recently these accepted definitions have come into question. As archaeologists struggle to define cultures, they also seek to define the components of culture.
This volume brings together 21 international case studies to explore the meaning of "culture" for regions around the globe and periods from the Paleolithic to the Bronze Age and beyond. Taking lessons and overarching themes from these studies, the contributors draw important conclusions about cultural transmission, technology development, and cultural development.
The result is a comprehensive model for approaching the study of culture, broken down into regions (Russia, Continental Europe, North America, Britain, and Africa), materials (Lithics, Ceramics, Metals) and time periods. This work will be valuable to all archaeologists and cultural anthropologists, particularly those studying material culture.
List of contents
Historiography.- Culture History in Britain.- Kulturkreislehre: Central European Approach to Culture History.- Cultural History in Russia.- Cultural History in North America.- Culture in the Lower Paleolithic.- Palaeo-cultures, Techno-modes, and techno-facies.- Cultures, Techno-complexes, and Metallurgical Provinces.- Technology and Culture Contact Across Southern Iran.- Creating Communities.- Archaeological Cultures in the Caucasus and Steppe during the Bronze Age.- Cultural Complexity and Bronze Age Institutions.- Culture of Humanity and its Transformation in European Prehistory.- Pottery traditions, Social Affiliation, and Linguistic Groupings in Africa.- Evolutionary Archaeological Definition of Culture.- Prehistoric Archaeological Culture.- Archaeological Cultures and the Spread of the Neolithic in the Near East.- Origins and Early Dispersals of the Austronesian Speaking Peoples.- Material Culture, Agriculture, and Linguistics in Peru during the Middle Horizon Period.- Conclusions and Future Directions.
Summary
Any thorough study of a particular culture first has to determine what that culture contains-- what particular time period, geographic region, and group of people make up that culture.
Report
"This excellent volume.... more than archives its stated aim of 're-igniting the debate concerning the analysis of archaeological cultures'.... this thought-provoking volume contains a broad range of interesting ideas and case studies" (Stephen Shennan, European Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 16, 2013)
