World Prehistory: In New Perspective - Softcover

Clark, Grahame

Softcover

ISBN 10: 052129178X ISBN 13: 9780521291781

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1977

Synopsis

'To qualify as human, a hominid has, so to say, to justify himself by works: the criteria are no longer biological so much as cultural'. In this 1977 book, Professor Grahame Clark goes on to trace the origins and development of human culture, in all its diversity, throughout the world. He follows the intellectual, material and social progress of mankind in each major region, from the earliest stone industries of two million years ago to the gradual and still incomplete attainment of literacy over the last five thousand years. He takes full account of peoples still preliterate when encountered in recent times by anthropologists as well as of those which nourished the great historic civilizations of mankind. Throughout he emphasizes the close relationship between environment and the character and speed of cultural development. The narrative is generously illustrated with photographs, drawings and maps, and there is a carefully selected list of references to the main sources used.

About this title

Book Description:

The origins and development of human culture throughout the world are re-examined in this new, generously illustrated edition of Clark's famous work. There is much more detailed and up-to-date coverage of the various territories, particularly America and Australasia plus a select bibliography of reference to the main sources used.

Review:

'... there can be no doubt that for the student or general reader who needs an overview of world prehistory this is essential reading.' Geography

'It is amazing how much information, and how many ideas, Professor Clark managed to pack into this book. Nothing of importance seems to have been omitted ... Similarly there are few prehistorians who could have written such a wide-ranging survey and yet have fallen into so few errors ... Taken as a whole, World Prehistory is the most up-to-date survey not only of world prehistory as a whole but of the individual areas with which it is concerned.' The Times Literary Supplement

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1977
• ISBN 10: 052129178X
• ISBN 13: 9780521291781
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 576