Ancient Human Migrations: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Foundations of Archaeological Inquiry

by Peter N. Peregrine, Ilia Peiros (Editor), Marcus Feldman (Editor)

The study of human migration is integral to the understanding of essential features of human experience. Many ancient civilizations were created and modified through migrations, and migrations of later periods gave rise to the modern ethnic map of the world, affecting ideology, economy and politics. Historically, most human migration studies have taken a more specialized approach, often focusing on archaeology or linguistics. Ancient Human Migrations collects outstanding papers from internationally renowned scholars to clarify the need for multidisciplinary approaches to the topic of human migration.

This collection of papers, worldwide in scope, originated from a working conference at the Santa Fe Institute. Admixture is a common outcome of migration, and human populations are all amalgams of ancestors, neighbors, and others. As a result, the volume argues, no “pure” races, cultures, or languages can exist. The very original analyses and discussions presented here return the concept of migration to its rightful place among the known processes of human evolutionary change and variation. 

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2009

About the author

Peter N. Peregrine is professor and chair of anthropology at Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin. He is coeditor of the Encyclopedia of Prehistory and has authored or coauthored eleven books, five edited volumes, and over 100 articles, chapters, and reviews.