Encyclopedia of Prehistory: Volume 1: Africa (Elgar Reference Collection) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0306462559 ISBN 13: 9780306462559

Publisher: Springer, 2001

Synopsis

The Encyclopedia of Prehistory represents also defined by a somewhat different set of an attempt to provide basic information sociocultural characteristics than are eth­ on all archaeologically known cultures, nological cultures. Major traditions are covering the entire globe and the entire defined based on common subsistence prehistory of humankind. It is designed as practices, sociopolitical organization, and a tool to assist in doing comparative material industries, but language, ideology, research on the peoples of the past. Most and kinship ties play little or no part in of the entries are written by the world's their definition because they are virtually foremost experts on the particular areas unrecoverable from archaeological con­ and time periods. texts. In contrast, language, ideology, and The Encyclopedia is organized accord­ kinship ties are central to defining ethno­ ing to major traditions. A major tradition logical cultures. is defined as a group of populations sharing There are three types of entries in the similar subsistence practices, technology, Encyclopedia: the major tradition entry, and forms of sociopolitical organization, the regional sub tradition entry, and the which are spatially contiguous over a rela­ site entry. Each contains different types of tively large area and which endure tempo­ information, and each is intended to be rally for a relatively long period. Minimal used in a different way.

About this title

Synopsis:

"The Encyclopedia of Prehistory", with regionally organized entries on each major archaeological tradition, is a comprehensive overview of human history from two million years ago to the historic period. Prepared under the auspices and with the support of the Human Relations Area Files, and an internationally distinguished advisory board, the encyclopedia is written by noted experts in the field and edited by Peter N Peregrine and Melvin Ember. These volumes employ comparable units of description and analysis, making them easy to use and compare. Volume 1 focuses on Africa.

About this edition

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0306462559
• ISBN 13: 9780306462559
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 415
• Editor: Peregrine Peter N., Ember Melvin