Description

The Agricultural Revolution in Prehistory addresses one of the most debated and least understood revolutions in the history of our species, the change from hunting and gathering to farming. Graeme Barker takes a global view, and integrates a massive array of information from archaeology and many other disciplines, including anthropology, botany, climatology, genetics, linguistics, and zoology. Against current orthodoxy, Barker develops a strong case for the development of agricultural systems in many areas as transformations in the life-ways of the indigenous forager societies, and argues that these were as much changes in social norms and ideologies as in ways of obtaining food. With a large number of helpful line drawings and photographs as well as a comprehensive bibliography, this authoritative study will appeal to a wide general readership as well as to specialists in a variety of fields.

Features

• Comprehensive and authoritative treatment of a key archaeological debate - why foragers became farmers
• Integrates the findings of many disciplines across the humanities and sciences
• More than 100 specially chosen illustrations provide context and interest and aid understanding

Reviews

"Displaying a breathtaking mastery of a vast array of evidence, presented objectively and accurately, Graeme Barker has performed a great service in putting together this global overview of one of archaeology's great questions."--Paul G. Bahn, Times Literary Supplement

"Ideally suited to undergraduates and readers from other disciplines seeking an introduction to this key topic."--British Archaeology

Product Details

616 pages; 138 in-text illus.; ISBN13: 978-0-19-955995-4ISBN10: 0-19-955995-3

About the Author(s)