An Archaeological Perspective on the History of Technology

Abstract

This volume represents an introduction to a new world-wide attempt to review the history of technology, which is one of few since the pioneering publications of the 1960s. It takes an explicit archaeological focus to the study of the history of technology and adopts a more explicit socially-embedded view of technology than has commonly been the case in mainstream histories of technology. In doing so, it attempts to introduce a more radical element to explanations of technological change, involving magic, alchemy, animism – in other words, attempting to consider technological change in terms of the 'world view' of those involved in such change rather than from an exclusively western scientific perspective.

Human-environment interaction systems between regional and continental scales in mid-latitude Eurasia during 6000�C3000 years ago

“…yr BP) across the Eurasian Steppes, [60][61] which further contributed to social development in both Europe and the central-eastern Eurasian Steppes. 12,62 The migration of the Yamnaya groups to the central Eurasian Steppes resulted in the emergence of the Afanasievo culture (~5500-4500 cal. yr BP) in the Altai Region and probably preluded the shift of primary subsistence from hunting/fishing-gathering to herding herbivorous livestock supplemented by barley and wheat cultivation.…”

“…On the one hand, climate deterioration very likely triggered the collapse of ancient civilizations. [6][7][8][9] On the other, it may well have facilitated technological innovations and changes to new livelihoods [10][11][12][13][14] and further promoted the development and expansion of farming and pastoral groups. [15][16][17][18] High precipitation has often been favourable for social development in most regions, [19][20] though it could result in catastrophes, such as flooding.…”