Exchange Systems in Prehistory

1st Edition - March 28, 1977
Authors: T. Earle, J. Ericson
Language: English
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 1 - 4 8 3 2 - 9 4 9 6 - 4

Exchange Systems in Prehistory provides an accurate description of prehistoric exchange and a more thorough investigation of the significance of exchange in prehistory. This book… Read more

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Exchange Systems in Prehistory provides an accurate description of prehistoric exchange and a more thorough investigation of the significance of exchange in prehistory. This book discusses the four aspects of archaeological research on prehistoric exchange, including systemic modeling, chemical characterization, descriptive modeling and application of ethnographic and ethnohistorical research. Organized into five parts encompassing 14 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the basic procedures in chemical characterization of any raw material. This text then describes the many steps required in the sampling and resolution of turquoise sources and artifacts from Mesoamerica and the American Southwest. Other chapters consider the measures of transportation cost for raw materials, including estimates of work along probable transport routes, social distances, and intermediary populations. This book discusses as well how anomalies may be used to identify central places or general hierarchical structure in settlement. This book is a valuable resource for archeologists and sociologists.

List of Contributors

Acknowledgments

Part I Introduction

Chapter 1 Exchange Systems in Archaeological Perspective

I. Introduction

II. Chemical Characterization of Raw Materials

III. Descriptive Models of Exchange

IV. Ethnographic and Ethnohistorical Research

V. Systemic Models of Exchange

VI. Conclusions

References

Part II Chemical Characterization of Raw Material

Chapter 2 Turquoise Sources and Source Analysis: Mesoamerica and the Southwestern U. S. A.

I. Introduction

II. Archaeological Background and Sources

III. Experimental Procedures

IV. Results

References

Chapter 3 Maya Jade: Source Location and Analysis

I. Introduction

II. Present Research

III. Characterization Procedures

IV. Conclusions

References

Part III Descriptive Models of Exchange

Chapter 4 Alternative Models for Exchange and Spatial Distribution

I. Introduction

II. The Law of Monotonic Decrement

III. Shape of Fall-Off

IV. Steepness of Fall-Off

V. The Down-the-Line Model: Linear Attenuation and Exponential Fall-Off

VI. Random Walk or Flight. Gaussian Fall-Off

VII. Attenuation in Two Dimensions

VIII. Equifinality and the Choice of Models

IX. Comparisons of Fall-Off Data

X. Concentration Effects and Directional Trade

XI. Competing Sources

XII. Modes of Exchange

References

Chapter 5 Mass-Distance Measures for the Maya Obsidian Trade

I. Introduction

II. Research Phase I: Central Place of Ceremonial Centers

III. Research Phase II: Diachronic Stability of Exchange Systems

IV. Conclusions

References

Chapter 6 Egalitarian Exchange Systems in California: A Preliminary View

I. Introduction

II. The Context of Studying Exchange in California

III. A Description of Exchange Systems

IV. A Qualitative Analysis of Certain Systemic Variables

V. Systems Analysis: Quantitative Analysis of Specific Variables

VI. Conclusions

References

Chapter 7 Modeling Economic Exchange

I. Introduction

II. Elements of Models

III. Characteristics of Exchange Networks

IV. Organization, Understanding, and Explanation

V. Empirical Considerations

VI. An Illustration

VII. Summary and Conclusions

References

Chapter 8 A Network Model for the Analysis of Prehistoric Trade

I. The Problem

II. The Network Model

III. Specific Analytic Approaches

IV. Exchange Systems and Social Systems

V. A Southwestern Example

References

Chapter 9 Identification of Prehistoric Intrasettlement Exchange

I. Introduction

II. Identification of Intrasettlement Social Groups

III. Intrasettlement Exchange

IV. Conclusions

References

Chapter 10 Quarry Analysis at Bodie Hills, Mono County, California: A Case Study

I. Introduction

II. The Bodie Hills Site

III. Sampling Procedures and Areas

IV. Analytical Results

V. Discussion and Conclusions

References

Part IV The Use of Ethnography and Ethnohistory

Chapter 11 Aboriginal Economies in Stateless Societies

I. Introduction

II. Ceremonial Exchanges: Potlatch, Kula, Moka, Abutu

III. Economic Determination

References

Chapter 12 A Reappraisal of Redistribution: Complex Hawaiian Chiefdoms

I. Introduction

II. Redistribution: An Analysis of Institutional Forms

III. Service's Hypothesis

IV. The Evidence from Hawaii: A Complex Chiefdom

V. Summary

References

Part V Systemic Models of Exchange

Chapter 13 The Simulation of a Linear Exchange System under Equilibrium Conditions

Chapter 14 The Ecological Evolution of Culture: The State as Predator in Succession Theory

I. Introduction

II. Strategy foe the Development of Explanatory Models of Complex Sociocultural Systems

III. Conclusion

References

Index