World Prehistory In New Perspective [Paperback]

This 1977 book provides a bibliography designed to give access to the whole of man's history before written records began.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.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.'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.List of tables, Acknowledgements, Preface; Part I. Early Prehistory: 1. Evolution of man as an organism; 2. Environmental change; 3. Palaeolithic hunters and foragers; Part II. Beginnings of Civilization in South-West Asiald