- Paperback: 712 pages
- Publisher: Oxford University Press; Fourth Edition edition (April 30 1999)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0195085728
- ISBN-13: 978-0195085723
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 18.8 x 3.6 cm
- Shipping Weight: 1.2 Kg
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#722,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #17 in Books > History > Ancient > Prehistory
- #28 in Books > Science > Archaeology > Prehistoric
- #32 in Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Archaeology > Prehistoric
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
"Good, thorough treatment of topics, yet concise enough to appeal to students."--Michael A. Malpass, Ithaca College
"Presents comprehensive investigations of the primary processes which have affected human culture in the past."--Andrew Collins, University of Wisconsin College-Waukesha
"Without question, this is the single most comprehensive introductory text for archaeology currently available. Eminently readable, an excellent resource for instructors and students alike. Wenke weaves his text masterfully, mixing the insights of a research in equal proportion with the grace and poetry of a master storyteller. Highly recommended!"--E.F. Aranyos, University of Washington
"Highly readable introduction to archaeology and prehistory. Does an excellent job of integrating new methods and theoretical debates into book's content. Well presented and illustrated. Exceptionally well detailed and documented."--Robert L. Brooks, University of Oklahoma
Praise for previous editions
"Solid, well-written, up-to-date, authoritative....It will continue to set a standard matched by few of its rivals."--American Antiquity
"The book is extremely informative, adequately illustrated, and clearly presented, and will continue to be a foremost introduction to prehistory and archeology."--The Journal of Indo-European Studies
"Excellent intro text--extremely readable and accessible." --Jonathan P. Karpf, San Jose State University
"An excellent integration of physical and cultural anthropological concepts." --Thomas E. Durbin, California State University, Stanislaus
"Robert Wenke's Patterns provides a sound and balanced text."--Clifford B. Sulham, University of Kentucky (on the fourth edition)
"Presents comprehensive investigations of the primary processes which have affected human culture in the past."--Andrew Collins, University of Wisconsin College-Waukesha
"Without question, this is the single most comprehensive introductory text for archaeology currently available. Eminently readable, an excellent resource for instructors and students alike. Wenke weaves his text masterfully, mixing the insights of a research in equal proportion with the grace and poetry of a master storyteller. Highly recommended!"--E.F. Aranyos, University of Washington
"Highly readable introduction to archaeology and prehistory. Does an excellent job of integrating new methods and theoretical debates into book's content. Well presented and illustrated. Exceptionally well detailed and documented."--Robert L. Brooks, University of Oklahoma
Praise for previous editions
"Solid, well-written, up-to-date, authoritative....It will continue to set a standard matched by few of its rivals."--American Antiquity
"The book is extremely informative, adequately illustrated, and clearly presented, and will continue to be a foremost introduction to prehistory and archeology."--The Journal of Indo-European Studies
"Excellent intro text--extremely readable and accessible." --Jonathan P. Karpf, San Jose State University
"An excellent integration of physical and cultural anthropological concepts." --Thomas E. Durbin, California State University, Stanislaus
"Robert Wenke's Patterns provides a sound and balanced text."--Clifford B. Sulham, University of Kentucky (on the fourth edition)
Product Description
Generations after generations have been living and dying on this planet for millions and millions of years. These ancestors have built societies, created cultures, and produced technologies. Yet many questions still remain about our ancestry and what relevance, if any, these past cultures hold for us. Patterns in Prehistory takes an in-depth look at humankind's first three million years. From the origins of early hominids several million years ago to the evolution of the first great states and civilizations, this comprehensive survey of world prehistory also confronts important philosophical issues about the study of the past. The author reflects on the archaeological methods and theories of the 1960s and 70s while reviewing the methodological revisions of the 80s and 90s, relating the archaeological data from hundreds of sites to the great questions of prehistorical change. He focuses on the four great transformations in the history of our genus: the evolution of culture itself; the first appearance of us, Homo Sapiens; the evolution of agriculture; and the first appearances of cultural and social complexity in the form of the great civilizations of antiquity. Thoroughly revised and updated, this fourth edition incorporates the most recent archaeological discoveries and addresses the insights and limitations of the new wave of "post-processual" or "cognitive" archaeology. It incorporates the latest research, particularly the new discoveries in Mesoamerican sites, Peru, southwest Asia, and Egypt, as well as new scholarship and theories on the origins of complex societies. Wenke also places more emphasis on gender, race, ideology, and religion. Ideal for courses in world prehistory and archeology, this new edition has been shortened to be more accessible to students.
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive and Well-Written,
By Emperor Penguin (The Throne Hall) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Patterns in Prehistory: Humankind's First Three Million Years (Paperback)
I found myself listening to people whine and complain about the detail that Wenke goes into when discussing a topic. As compared to a textbook such as Fagan's 'People of The Earth', 'Patterns in Prehistory' certainly is rather long-winded in some regards. When cramming for a test, it might not be the best, yet I thouroughly enjoyed reading through it. It feels as though you are having a discussion with Mr. Wenke himself, not trudging through the required reading before a lecture. It's the kind of textbook you take with you to a comfortable chair and read leisurely, not one with which you come armed with highliter, expecting helpful 'test terms' and colorful pictures. I'm glad I was able to use this textbook as opposed to Fagan (which I've glanced over). I feel that I have come away with a much better understanding than those who failed to get past the small print and long chapters. And compared to other textbooks, it's a steal pricewise. Mr. Wenke is an excellent writer with an obvious passion for his field, I thank him for a solid read.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but not great.,
By Tim G. (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Patterns in Prehistory: Humankind's First Three Million Years (Paperback)
This is a suitable textbook for an introductory class on world prehistory. Comrehensive in scope, it goesd from australopithecus to the pre-contact in the New World. Wenke's writing is simple and straightforward, so even generalists with no archaeological background will be able to follow easily. The writing is even occasionally enlivened with Wenke's oft-present sardonic wit, although this falls flat a lot of the time. However, the sheer timespan covered by this text prevents it from going into any interesting detail, leaving the surface barely scratched. While easy to read, it's of less use, the further up one goes in the field of archaeology. It's also rather difficult to take notes from, and contains pages of daunting, unbroken texts. Some neat charts to break up the flow would help students. Perhaps because I have gone beyond this level now, I'm an arky snob, but I was less than impressed with this book.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
3.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews) 14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive and Well-Written,
By Emperor Penguin - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Patterns in Prehistory: Humankind's First Three Million Years (Paperback)
I found myself listening to people whine and complain about the detail that Wenke goes into when discussing a topic. As compared to a textbook such as Fagan's 'People of The Earth', 'Patterns in Prehistory' certainly is rather long-winded in some regards. When cramming for a test, it might not be the best, yet I thouroughly enjoyed reading through it. It feels as though you are having a discussion with Mr. Wenke himself, not trudging through the required reading before a lecture. It's the kind of textbook you take with you to a comfortable chair and read leisurely, not one with which you come armed with highliter, expecting helpful 'test terms' and colorful pictures. I'm glad I was able to use this textbook as opposed to Fagan (which I've glanced over). I feel that I have come away with a much better understanding than those who failed to get past the small print and long chapters. And compared to other textbooks, it's a steal pricewise. Mr. Wenke is an excellent writer with an obvious passion for his field, I thank him for a solid read.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but not great.,
By Tim G. - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Patterns in Prehistory: Humankind's First Three Million Years (Paperback)
This is a suitable textbook for an introductory class on world prehistory. Comrehensive in scope, it goesd from australopithecus to the pre-contact in the New World. Wenke's writing is simple and straightforward, so even generalists with no archaeological background will be able to follow easily. The writing is even occasionally enlivened with Wenke's oft-present sardonic wit, although this falls flat a lot of the time. However, the sheer timespan covered by this text prevents it from going into any interesting detail, leaving the surface barely scratched. While easy to read, it's of less use, the further up one goes in the field of archaeology. It's also rather difficult to take notes from, and contains pages of daunting, unbroken texts. Some neat charts to break up the flow would help students. Perhaps because I have gone beyond this level now, I'm an arky snob, but I was less than impressed with this book.
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