Before Civilization
Author: Renfrew, Lord Colin
ISBN: 9780712665933
Publisher: RANDOM HOUSE UK
Year first published: 15 Oct 1999
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback / softback
'One of the most important archaeological books for a very long time. The clarity of the style and the evident enthusiasm in every paragraph make it a joy to read. ' New Scientist.
The refinement of radiocarbon dating using the information form tree-ring counts has raised serious doubts about the accepted theoretical frameowkr of European prehistory. Monuments in Central and Western Europe have proved to be considerably older than their supposed Near-Eastern forerunners, and the record must be almost completely rewritten in the light of these new dates. Before Civilsation is a preliminary attempt to do this with the help of analogies from more recent and well-documented primitive societies. The more glaring inconsistencies in the old theory are re-examined and Professor Renfrew shows convincingly how the baffling monuments of prehistoric Europe, like Stonehenge, could have been built without recourse to help from the 'more civilized' Near East.
ISBN: 9780712665933
Publisher: RANDOM HOUSE UK
Year first published: 15 Oct 1999
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback / softback
'One of the most important archaeological books for a very long time. The clarity of the style and the evident enthusiasm in every paragraph make it a joy to read. ' New Scientist.
The refinement of radiocarbon dating using the information form tree-ring counts has raised serious doubts about the accepted theoretical frameowkr of European prehistory. Monuments in Central and Western Europe have proved to be considerably older than their supposed Near-Eastern forerunners, and the record must be almost completely rewritten in the light of these new dates. Before Civilsation is a preliminary attempt to do this with the help of analogies from more recent and well-documented primitive societies. The more glaring inconsistencies in the old theory are re-examined and Professor Renfrew shows convincingly how the baffling monuments of prehistoric Europe, like Stonehenge, could have been built without recourse to help from the 'more civilized' Near East.
