Shamanism and the Ancient Mind

A Cognitive Approach to Archaeology

AvJames L. Pearson

Häftad, Engelska, 2002

Del 2 i serien Archaeology of Religion

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Beskrivning

Pearson brings a cogent, well-argued case for the understanding of much prehistoric art as shamanistic practice. Using the theoretical premises of cognitive archaeology and a careful examination of rock art worldwide, Pearson is able to dismiss other theories of why ancient peoples produced art_totemism, art-for-art's sake, structuralism, hunting magic. Then examining both ethnographic and neuropsychological evidence, he makes a strong case for the use of shamanistic ritual and hallucinogenic substances as the genesis of much prehistoric art. Bolstered with examples from contemporary cultures and archaeological sites around the world, Pearson's thesis should be of interest not only to archaeologists, but art historians, psychologists, cultural anthropologist, and the general public.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2002-03-11
Mått:145 x 231 x 13 mm
Vikt:331 g
Format:Häftad
Språk:Engelska
Serie:Archaeology of Religion
Antal sidor:208
Förlag:AltaMira Press
ISBN:9780759101562

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Mer om författaren

James L. Pearson has a Ph.D. in archaeology from University of California, Santa Barbara. He became an archaeologist after a long career as a business executive and is now working toward bringing archaeology to the general public.

Recensioner i media

This is an eminently useful book in a much wider sense. It sees rock art not merely as a side alley...of archaeology but as an attractive and varied path to more general debate of archaeological theory and methodology. The clarity with which [Pearson] sets out his review of the literature, the persistent misunderstandings, and even the abuse to which some writers appear dedicated is timely and necessary if researchers are to move closer to what he calls "Archaeology's final frontier"—ancient beliefs and meanings.

Innehållsförteckning

Chapter 1 Foreword by Brian Fagan Chapter 2 Introduction Chapter 3 Antecedents to Cognitive Archaeology Chapter 4 The Roots of Cognitive Archaeology Chapter 5 The Tools of Cognitive Archaeology Chapter 6 The Evolution of Rock Art Research Chapter 7 Rock Art Research in the Americas Chapter 8 Shamanism Chapter 9 Using the Tools of Cognitive Archaeology Chapter 10 The Non-Archaeological Case for Shamanism Chapter 11 The Archaeological Evidence for Shamanism Chapter 12 Summary and Conclusions