Sourcebook of Paleolithic Transitions: Methods, Theories, and Interpretations - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 038776478X ISBN 13: 9780387764788

Publisher: Springer, 2009

Synopsis

As the study of Palaeolithic technologies moves towards a more analytical approach, it is necessary to determine a consistent procedural framework. The contributions to this timely and comprehensive volume do just that. This volume incorporates a broad chronological and geographical range of Palaeolithic material from the Lower to Upper Palaeolithic. The focus of this volume is to provide an analysis of Palaeolithic technologies from a quantitative, empirical perspective. As new techniques, particularly quantitative methods, for analyzing Palaeolithic technologies gain popularity, this work provides case studies particularly showcasing these new techniques. Employing diverse case studies, and utilizing multivariate approaches, morphometrics, model-based approaches, phylogenetics, cultural transmission studies, and experimentation, this volume provides insights from international contributors at the forefront of recent methodological advances.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Sourcebook of Paleolithic Transitions

Edited by:

Marta Camps, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
Parth R. Chauhan, CRAFT Stone Age Institute, Indiana University, Gosport, IN, USA

 

This sourcebook addresses the different transitional processes by examinating the nature and extent of behavioural changes, cultural patterns and differences that have been attributed to them. It brings together a global body of research  and compares differing theoretical perspectives on the transitions - not only to compare and discuss results from the various areas, but also to evaluate the contrasts between the different archaeological traditions. The top researchers in both regional field research and theoretical aspects of this key event in human prehistory have contributed to build a seminal book from both an anthropological as well as theoretical viewpoint.

Sourcebook of Paleolithic Transitions will not only summarise past work, but will also assess current research strategies and the latest results - as well as discuss guidelines for the future. It will contribute to Paleolithic research, by providing the scientific community with an up-to-date publication which:

• encompasses instrumental classic views, crucial to understanding how these phenomena have been studied
• includes current research and the newest developments, which have only been partially presented in specialised journals
• incorporates a joint and debated look to the future of this research, highlighting the outcome of the balance of many years of studies, and the most promising research leads for the coming years.

The multidisciplinary perspective of this work, combined with the latest information on research regarding these processes, will bring to the wider scientific community a much needed modern compendium in this field.

About the Author

Parth R. Chauhan is an Indian-American Research Associate with the Stone Age Institute (Indiana, USA). He obtained his PhD from the University of Sheffield (UK) in 2005 and his MA from Deccan College Postgraduate Research Institute (Pune, India) in 1998. His research interests include Old World prehistory, Palaeolithic archaeology, hominin dispersals, Asian paleoanthropology, vertebrate paleontology and taphonomy and lithic technology. He is currently carrying out research on early human technological and environmental adaptations during the Quaternary of India and Yemen.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 038776478X
• ISBN 13: 9780387764788
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 600
• Editor: Camps Marta, Chauhan Parth