0415273072.Routledge.Archaeologies.of.Complexity.May.2003.pdf

ARCHAEOLOGIES OF

COMPLEXITY

Archaeologies of Complexity addresses the nature of contemporary

archaeology and the study of social change, and debates the transi-

tion from perceived simple, egalitarian societies to the complex

power structures and divisions of our modern world.

Since the eighteenth century, archaeologists have examined com-

plexity in terms of successive types of societies, from early bands,

tribes and chiefdoms to states; through stages of social evolution,

including ‘savagery’, ‘barbarism’ and ‘civilization’, to the present

state of complexity and inequality. The book explains the often

ambiguous terms of ‘complexity’, ‘hierarchy’ and ‘inequality’ and

provides a critical account of the Anglo-American research of the last

forty years which has heavily inﬂuenced the subject.

The author challenges the established arguments, supporting a

radical alternative analysis of early state societies with a detailed case

study of the later prehistoric societies of the western Mediterranean.

He stresses the need for a more even engagement between Anglo-

American and other archaeologists on issues of archaeological theory

and practice. The result is a fresh and engaging look at theories of

social complexity and the relevance of archaeology to modern society.

Robert Chapman is Professor of Archaeology at the University of

Reading.

ARCHAEOLOGIES OF

Robert Chapman

COMPLEXITY

First published 2003

by Routledge

11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE

Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada

by Routledge

29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group

This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2003.

reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic,

mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter

invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any

information storage or retrieval system, without permission in

writing from the publishers.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Chapman, Robert, 1949–

Archaeologies of complexity / Robert Chapman.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.

1. Social archaeology. 2. Social change. I. Title.

CC72.4 .C47 2003

930.1 – dc21

2002031948

ISBN 0-203-45177-5 Master e-book ISBN

ISBN 0–415–27307–2 (hbk)

ISBN 0–415–27308–0 (pbk)

ISBN 0-203-45757-9 (Adobe eReader Format)

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