Origins and Revolutions: Human Identity in Earliest Prehistory

Description

In this study Clive Gamble presents and questions two of the most famous descriptions of change in prehistory. The first is the 'human revolution', when evidence for art, music, religion and language first appears. The second is the economic and social revolution of the Neolithic period. Gamble identifies the historical agendas behind 'origins research' and presents a bold alternative to these established frameworks, relating the study of change to the material basis of human identity. He examines, through artefact proxies, how changing identities can be understood using embodied material metaphors and in two major case-studies charts the prehistory of innovations, asking, did agriculture really change the social world? This is an important and challenging book that will be essential reading for every student and scholar of prehistory.

'Origins and Revolutions is an effervescent read that skilfully challenges many of the sacred cows of archaeology. it is rich and deep in the philosophical acumen and attention to social theory for which Gamble is known. He also writes with an admirable sense of humour and irony; he knows how to join humanistic flair with empirical rigour at the dig.' Nature '... an engaging style, and a healthy lacing of humour ... Origins and Revolutions is well worth the effort. It displays considerable erudition and theoretical subtlety, challenges orthodox histories of our deep past, and sets out an agenda for thinking about the fragmentary remains of the remote societies of early prehistory in new and refreshing ways.' British Archaeology '... Gamble has written a book that deserves serious attention and engagement, and hi sideas are original and far-reaching ...' Journal of Archaeological Science