The Agricultural Revolution in Prehistory: Why did Foragers become Farmers? [Hardcover]

Graeme Barker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0199281092 | ISBN-13: 978-0199281091

The Agricultural Revolution in Prehistory addresses one of the most debated and least understood revolutions in the history of our species, the change from hunting and gathering to farming. Graeme Barker takes a global view, and integrates a massive array of information from archaeology and many other disciplines, including anthropology, botany, climatology, genetics, linguistics, and zoology. Against current orthodoxy, Barker develops a strong case for the development of agricultural systems in many areas as transformations in the life-ways of the indigenous forager societies, and argues that these were as much changes in social norms and ideologies as in ways of obtaining food. With a large number of helpful line drawings and photographs as well as a comprehensive bibliography, this authoritative study will appeal to a wide general readership as well as to specialists in a variety of fields.

Editorial Reviews

Review

a magisterial survey on a global scale Peter Bogucki, Cambridge Archaeological Journal Displaying a breathtaking mastery of a vast array of evidence, presented objectively and accurately, Graeme Barker has performed a great service. Paul G. Bahn, Literary Criticism Displaying a breathtaking mastery of a vast array of evidence, presented objectively and accurately, Graeme Barker has performed a great service in putting together this global overview of one of archaeology's great questions. Paul G. Bahn, Times Literary Supplement ideally suited to undergraduates and readers from other disciplines seeking an introduction to this key topic. British Archaeology Not many of today's archaeologist would have either the temerity or the vision to write a book like this. Graeme Barker is one of the few who has both, and The Agricultural Revolution in Prehistory is the impressive outcome. Peter Rowley-Conwy, Antiquity ...a masterpiece of interdisciplinary synthesis, which encompasses all parts of the world, not just well-researched areas...He puts today's all-embracing, and often popular, theories in a much more sophisticated context. This important and erudite work will surely become a classic... Brian Fagan, European Journal of Archaeology an extremely useful and balanced analysis of the work done by archaeologists on the history of farming, linked to analyses made within other disciplines including anthropology Monica Janowski, Anthropology in Action

About the Author

Graeme Barker is Disney Professor of Archaeology, and Director of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 616 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (November 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0199281092
• ISBN-13: 978-0199281091
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #569,258 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All you wanted to know about the origins of agriculture, October 22, 2009

By 

Claudia Chang (Sweet Briar, Va. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Agricultural Revolution in Prehistory: Why did Foragers become Farmers? (Hardcover)

This is a thorough, well-researched and clearly argued book about the origins of agriculture. The author has collected exhaustive references about agriculture all over the world. He presents a nuanced argument for the beginnings of agriculture that includes the social dynamics for why people elected to leave their foraging way of life.

I am a professional archaeologist, but I believe that a careful non-specialist reader would find this book quite informative. I am also happy to see it is now available in paperback and as a Kindle book. I managed to get a hold of it half price because we were at a conference where sometimes you can obtain the display copies cheaper.

Even if you paid full price for it, the book is worth every penny.