eBook

Archaeologies of Complexity

Chapman, Robert

2003

Overview

An up-to-date and critical analysis of how archaeologists study past societies, Archaeologies of Complexity addresses the nature of contemporary archaeology and the study of social change, and debates the transition from perceived simple, egalitarian societies to the complex power structures and divisions of our modern world. Since the eighteenth century, archaeologists have examined complexity in terms of successive types of societies, from early bands, tribes and chiefdoms to states; through stages of social evolution, including 'savagery', 'barbarism' and 'civilisation', to the present state of complexity and inequality. Presenting a radical, alternative view of ancient state societies, the book explains the often ambiguous terms of 'complexity', 'hierarchy' and inequality' and provides a critical account of the Anglo-American research of the last forty years which has heavily influenced the subject. 1. A Complex and Unequal World: Knowledge, Relevance and Experience 2. Archaeological Theory and Practice: From the Outside Looking In 3. Models of Society and Social Change: From the Inside Looking Out 4. Matters of Terminology: Back to Basics 5. A Class Act: Representing the Prehistoric Past of South-East Spain 6. The Uses and Abuses of Complexity: Prehistoric Societies in the West Mediterranean 7. Complex Archaeologies and Archaeologies of Complexity Robert Chapman is Professor of Archaeology at the University of Reading.

• Publisher: Routledge,Taylor and Francis,Taylor & Francis Group
• Subject: Anthropology - Soc Sci / Archaeology / European Archaeology / Social archaeology / Social change
• ISBN: 0415273080, 9780415273077, 0415273072, 9780415273084