Chiefdoms and Other Archaeological Delusions (Issues in Eastern Woodlands Archaeology)

In recent decades anthropology, especially ethnography, has supplied the prevailing models of how human beings have constructed, and been constructed by, their social arrangements. In turn, archaeologists have all too often relied on these models to reconstruct the lives of ancient peoples. In lively, engaging, and informed prose, Timothy Pauketat debunks much of this social-evolutionary theorizing about human development, as he ponders the evidence of 'chiefdoms' left behind by the Mississippian culture of the American southern heartland. This book challenges all students of history and prehistory to reexamine the actual evidence that archaeology has made available, and to do so with an open mind. In Recent Decades Anthropology, Especially Ethnography, Has Supplied The Prevailing Models Of How Human Beings Have Constructed, And Been Constructed By, Their Social Arrangements. In Turn, Archaeologists Have All Too Often Relied On These Models To Reconstruct The Lives Of Ancient Peoples, Often By Trying To Demonstrate From Material Remains That A Certain Culture Was At A Certain Stage In Its Development. In Lively, Engaging, And Informed Prose, Timothy Pauketat Debunks Much Of This Social-evolutionary Theorizing About Human Development As He Ponders The Evidence Of Chiefdoms Left Behind By The Mississippian Culture Of The American Southern Heartland. This Book Challenges All Students Of History And Prehistory To Examine The Actual Evidence That Archaeology Has Made Available And To Do So With An Open Mind.--jacket. Principles And Principals -- A Crisis In Mississippian Archaeology -- Breaking The Law Of Cultural Dominance -- Parsing Mississippian Chiefdoms -- The X Factor -- Yoffee's Rule And Cahokia -- What Constitutes Civilization? Community And Control In The Southwest, Mexico, And Mesopotamia -- Truth, Justice, And The Archaeological Way. Timothy R. Pauketat. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 213-246) And Index. This book sweeps away the last vestiges of social-evolutionary explanations of 'chiefdoms' by rethinking the history of Pre-Columbian Southeast peoples and comparing them to ancient peoples in the Southwest, Mexico, Mesoamerica, and Mesopotamia.