Understanding early civilizations: a comparative study

"Arising independently in various parts of the world, early civilizations--the first class-based societies in human history--are of importance to social scientists interested in the development of complexity, while their cultural productions fascinate both humanists and the general public. This book offers the first detailed comparative study of the seven most fully documented early civilizations: ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, Shang China, the Aztecs and their neighbors, the Classic Maya, the Inca, and the Yoruba. Unlike previous studies, equal attention is paid to similarities and differences in their sociopolitical organization, their economic systems, and their religious beliefs, knowledge, art, and values. Many of this study's findings are surprising and provocative. They challenge not only current understandings of early civilizations but also the theoretical foundations of modern archaeology and anthropology. Rival cultural and ecological approaches are demonstrated to be complimentary to one another, while a comprehensive understanding of human behavior is shown to require that more attention be paid to psychology and the neurosciences"--Publisher's website

Originally published in 2003.

Introduction. Rationalism and relativism -- Comparative studies -- Defining 'early civilization' -- Evidence and interpretation -- Sociopolitical Organization. Kingship -- States : city and territorial -- Urbanism -- Class systems and social mobility -- Family organization and gender roles -- Administration -- Law -- Military organization -- Sociopolitical constants and variables -- Economy. Food production -- Land ownership -- Trade and craft specialization -- Appropriation of wealth -- Economic constants and variables -- Cognitive and Symbolic Aspects. Conceptions of the supernatural -- Cosmology and cosmogony -- Cult -- Priests, festivals, and the politics of the supernatural -- The individual and the universe -- Elite art and architecture -- Literacy and specialized knowledge -- Values and personal aspirations -- Cultural constants and variables -- Discussion. Culture and reason.