Genes, Memes and Human History: Darwinian Archaeology and Cultural Evolution

Rating:
Summary: Superior Ideas in a Dry Wrapper
Review: Shennan lays the groundwork for an archaeology beyond bones and tools and tells us where it can lead. He specifically addresses both the ability of archaeology to develop theories and its limitations when supporting them.
Of particular interest are his chapters of interpretation, which build on his rather dry theorectical framework. These include a fascinating description of the origin of agriculture and the role of women in early societies.
I found much of the book to be a hard read. Shennan's writing style is often long-winded and full of self-referential vocabulary used in a very precise way. One can perhaps forgive his style as the need to satisfy potential critics in his own academic community. Still, I have a strong preference for clear writing and Shennan does not always offer that.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to acquire a solid high-level understanding of the state of archaeological interpretation or the limits of the science, but be ready to find a quite room and a good reading lamp.

Rating:
Summary: Superior Ideas in a Dry Wrapper
Review: Shennan lays the groundwork for an archaeology beyond bones and tools and tells us where it can lead. He specifically addresses both the ability of archaeology to develop theories and its limitations when supporting them.
Of particular interest are his chapters of interpretation, which build on his rather dry theorectical framework. These include a fascinating description of the origin of agriculture and the role of women in early societies.
I found much of the book to be a hard read. Shennan's writing style is often long-winded and full of self-referential vocabulary used in a very precise way. One can perhaps forgive his style as the need to satisfy potential critics in his own academic community. Still, I have a strong preference for clear writing and Shennan does not always offer that.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to acquire a solid high-level understanding of the state of archaeological interpretation or the limits of the science, but be ready to find a quite room and a good reading lamp.