World Prehistory: A Brief Introduction

by Brian M. Fagan, Nadia Durrani

This popular introductory textbook provides an overview of more than 3 million years of human prehistory. Written in an accessible and jargon-free style, this engaging volume tells the story of humanity from our beginnings in tropical Africa up to the advent of the world's first urban civilizations.



A truly global account, World Prehistory surveys the latest advances in the study of human origins and describes the great diaspora of modern humans in the millennia that followed as they settled Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Later chapters consider seminal milestones in prehistory: the origins of food production, the colonization of the offshore Pacific, and the development of the first more complex human societies based, for the most part, on agriculture and stock raising. Finally, Fagan and Durrani examine the prevailing theories regarding early state-organized societies and the often flamboyant, usually volatile, preindustrial civilizations that developed in the Old World and the Americas.



Fully updated to reflect new research, controversies, and theoretical debates, this unique book remains an ideal resource for the beginner first approaching archaeology. Drawing on the experience of two established writers in the field, World Prehistory is a respected classic that acquaints students with the fascinations of human prehistory.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Archaeology, Anthropology, Ancient History

490 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Brian Murray Fagan was a British author of popular archaeology books and a professor emeritus of Anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Reviews

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A college textbook. I am teaching the Stone Age and early civilizations, and this was a good primer for me. Not for the feint of heart.

[Blessy Abraham · Rating 3 out of 5]

An nice introductory text to world prehistory. I think it is something that can be useful as an introductory text to those unfamiliar with prehistoric cultures of America, Asia, Europe and Africa. However, the book does not strictly cover prehistory but also spends a good time discussing various protohistoric and preindustrial civilizations. Therefore, the title is a bit misleading in that sense. Nonetheless, a useful book for beginners or history enthusiasts.

[Salam Taha · Rating 4 out of 5]

a simply presented book, with wide angle view, a bit of something into everything, good feed for the generic public and / or college students

[Rachel Welton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for references. Boring to listen to.

[Trunatrschild · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ordinary textbook, not very thorough, I wouldn't buy it for general information, it's too general.

[Regina Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book, a bit outdated.

[Abdul Rehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

World Prehistory: A Brief Introduction (8th Edition)