Theory (Semester 2) Flashcards
Agriculture
Changed settlement patterns and social organisation. Possibly came about bc of climate change, population growth (Ester Boserup), or both (Binford). Possibly because of feasting foods becoming staples as well (Hayden)
Food production
Management of resources and farming (done by both hunt.-gath. and farmers)
Lewis Henry Morgan
Society goes through three revolutionary periods:
1) Savagery (hunt-gath)
2) Barbarism (agri.)
3) Civilisation (chief/state lvl)
Gordon Childe
2 revolutions - neolithic and urban, w/ urban bringing about agriculture
David Rindos
Agriculture a co-evo event between plants, animals and ppl. ~symbiotic
Tim Ingold
Difference between hunt-gath (trust and respect) and agriculturalist (complete domination over nature) relationship and views on natural world
Domestication
Selective breeding to the point where plant/animal is reliant of people in order to reproduce
Mesoamerica
Primary centre for agriculture. Domesticated plants included beans, maize, and squash - ie the “three sisters” as called by the Iroquoians
Eastern Woodlands
Diet = shellfish, fish, mass forest resources - before agriculture
Shellmounds
Easter Woodlands. Important to culture and diet - food and building materials
Ontario agri origins
Plants closest to settlement domesticated first due to proximity (knotweed, barley, goosefeet). Maize not so important until rise of sedentary lifestyles ~1000CE
Vinette I Potter
Eastern Woodlands. Coiling technique, with fabric pressing for patterns. Low firing temperature = low durability
Ancestral Pueblo region (American SW)
Agri came from Mesoamerica. Region along Rio Grande river. Maize and squash - 3200 yrs ago. Pit houses - 8500 yrs ago. Kiva = subterranean ceremonial structures.
Chaco Canyon
Huge - 5+ stories tall, with walls that were possible defensive, or to control access to city. Mostly for storage - ritual center, possible.
Iroquoians
Settlements small in size before increasing. Longhouses within palisaded villages, with evidence of interpersonal violence in the Late Iroquoian period.
Andes (Mountains)
Multiple ecological zones that affected domestication and agriculture, and were still fairly mobile with it. Domesticated animals first, then plants (quinoa and beans)
Andes (Coast)
Had settled villages before agriculture (cotton??, maize). Relied mostly on hunt-gath.
Africa
Primary agri. center - millet, coffee, rice etc.
China
Ride and millet. Pottery dates back 2000 yrs ago - when hunt-gath were still around.
Social complexity
Societies with multiple parts and roles that are integrated as a whole. Many have some form of social inequality.
Fried vs Service on various social structures
Friend: Egalitarian ranked, stratified, state
Service: Band, tribe, chiefdom, state
Non-centralised society
Power in hands of various of many
Centralised society
Power in hands of few - ie. elite. Often control production, trade, and other social elements.
Gordon Childe’s requirements for a city
Densely populated Has full time specialists Tithes or taxes to elite Monumental 'public' buildings (infrastructure or buildings for elite) Writing systems Science Art Long distance trade Agriculture
