The Hunters of Prehistory - Hardcover

Andre Leroi-Gourhan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689312938 ISBN 13: 9780689312939

Publisher: Atheneum, 1989

Synopsis

An archeologist describes how prehistoric man lived by examining the remains of ancient human settlements

About this title

Language Notes:

Text: English, French (translation)

From School Library Journal:

Grade 9 Up-- In looking at the complexities of prehistoric hunting cultures, Leroi-Gourhan seems to have in mind an audience of his professional peers rather than lay people, and certainly not young readers. In describing the results of his excavations of caves in central France, he attempts to encapsulate a huge span of time, from the beginnings of the Mousterlan culture (more commonly known as Neanderthal) to the end of Paleolithic or "New Stone Age" times. This approach sacrifices what could have been impressive detail for broad but vague generalization. In spite of the title, very little space is devoted to hunting. Instead, particular attention is paid to toolmaking and how stone tools can be used to trace the development of a culture. A tedious and convoluted explanation of flint knapping techniques typifies the author's approach. Instead of attempting to illuminate the lives of prehistoric European hunters, he stresses the techniques of archaeology and how this has helped modern-day scientists gain a better comprehension of prehistoric life. While this book may have some merit as supplemental reading for a college course in archaeology or anthropology, the style makes it inappropriate for young people. Much better choices would be The Neanderthals by George Constable and Cro-Magnon Man (both Time-Life, 1973; o.p.) by Tom Prideaux. --David N. Pauli, Northern Waters Library Service, Ashland, Wis.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Atheneum
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0689312938
• ISBN 13: 9780689312939
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 158