The archaeology of politics and power : where, when, and why the first states formed

Archaeology is not just about the past, but the present and future too. Much of our present condition and future prospects are inevitably bound up with what states do and what they fail to do. To understand the inner-workings and motivations of states one must understand how and why they came into existence in the first place. This book describes how states formed in Egypt and Mesopotamia, China and the Andes, and also how the Indus Civilization functioned without a state. This work spans law, ideology, politics, economics, and psychology, the ancient world and modern history, in order to show how power is obtained, sustained and deployed, and in whose interests. Grounded in archaeological data, it examines human nature, morality, violence and governance, issues of special importance to everyone, but in particular to students of politics, anthropology, psychology and sociology, as well as archaeology.opology, psychology and sociology, as well as archaeology. Archaeology is not just about the past, but the present and future too. Much of our present condition and future prospects are inevitably bound up with what states do and what they fail to do. To understand the inner-workings and motivations of states one must understand how and why they came into existence in the first place. This book describes how states formed in Egypt and Mesopotamia, China and the Andes, and also how the Indus Civilization functioned without a state. This work spans law, ideology, politics, economics, and psychology, the ancient world and modern history, in order to show how power is obtained, sustained and deployed, and in whose interests. Grounded in archaeological data, it examines human nature, morality, violence and governance, issues of special importance to everyone, but in particular to students of politics, anthropology, psychology and sociology, as well as archaeology. Table of Contents Preface. Why are NGOs necessary? 1. The Science of History 2. On Human Rhetoric, Relativism and the Realities of Violence 3. Indus-Sarasvati Civilization (Harappan Civilization) 4. The Levant and Mesopotamia 5. Egypt 6. China 7. Andean Civilization 8. Politics, Culture and Social Structure 9. How do states form? Appendix A. The Socio-Political Contract and the Lessons of History Appendix B. Science v. Ideology Appendix C. Leadership Attributes Cover......Page 1 Book Title......Page 2 Copyright......Page 3 Dedication......Page 4 Table of Contents......Page 6 List of Figures......Page 7 Acknowledgements......Page 14 Preface: Why are NGOs necessary?......Page 16 Chapter 1: The Science of History......Page 20 Chapter 2: On Human Nature: Rhetoric, Relativism and the Realities of Violence......Page 40 Chapter 3: Indus-Sarasvati Civilization (‘Harappan’ Civilization)......Page 56 Chapter 4: The Levant and Mesopotamia......Page 100 Chapter 5: Egypt......Page 158 Chapter 6: China......Page 194 Chapter 7: Andean Civilization......Page 282 Chapter 8: Politics, Culture and Social Structure......Page 362 Chapter 9: How do states form?......Page 368 Appendix A: The Socio-Political Contract and the Lessons of History......Page 374 Appendix B: Science v. Ideology......Page 380 Appendix C: Leadership Attributes......Page 384 Bibliography......Page 388 Index......Page 450 Back Cover......Page 490 SOCIAL SCIENCE/Archaeology Cover 1 Book Title 2 Copyright 3 Dedication 4 Table of Contents 6 List of Figures 7 Acknowledgements 14 Preface: Why are NGOs necessary? 16 Chapter 1: The Science of History 20 Chapter 2: On Human Nature: Rhetoric, Relativism and the Realities of Violence 40 Chapter 3: Indus-Sarasvati Civilization (‘Harappan’ Civilization) 56 Chapter 4: The Levant and Mesopotamia 100 Chapter 5: Egypt 158 Chapter 6: China 194 Chapter 7: Andean Civilization 282 Chapter 8: Politics, Culture and Social Structure 362 Chapter 9: How do states form? 368 Appendix A: The Socio-Political Contract and the Lessons of History 374 Appendix B: Science v. Ideology 380 Appendix C: Leadership Attributes 384 Bibliography 388 Index 450 Back Cover 490