Robin Derricourt is an honorary professor of history at the University of New South Wales and a fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. His previous books in archaeology and history include Inventing Africa, Antiquity Imagined, Creating God: The Birth and Growth of Major Religions, and Unearthing Childhood: Young Lives in Prehistory, which won the 2019 PROSE Award in Ancient History and Archaeology.

'This book is an important resource for students of all levels of education who are interested in history, archaeology, and the impact innovations or inventions throughout history have on the world. … Recommended.' L. Dubell, CHOICE

• List of illustrations; 1. Introduction: transitions and impacts; 2. Taming fire; 3. Domesticating horses; 4. Developing writing; 5. Inventing printing; 6. Communicating wirelessly; 7. Innovation, progress and presentism; Notes; Further reading; Index.

Robin Derricourt is an honorary professor of history at the University of New South Wales and a fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. His previous books in archaeology and history include Inventing Africa, Antiquity Imagined, Creating God: The Birth and Growth of Major Religions, and Unearthing Childhood: Young Lives in Prehistory, which won the 2019 PROSE Award in Ancient History and Archaeology.

'This book is an important resource for students of all levels of education who are interested in history, archaeology, and the impact innovations or inventions throughout history have on the world. … Recommended.' L. Dubell, CHOICE

• List of illustrations; 1. Introduction: transitions and impacts; 2. Taming fire; 3. Domesticating horses; 4. Developing writing; 5. Inventing printing; 6. Communicating wirelessly; 7. Innovation, progress and presentism; Notes; Further reading; Index.

Robin Derricourt is an honorary professor of history at the University of New South Wales and a fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. His previous books in archaeology and history include Inventing Africa, Antiquity Imagined, Creating God: The Birth and Growth of Major Religions, and Unearthing Childhood: Young Lives in Prehistory, which won the 2019 PROSE Award in Ancient History and Archaeology.

'This book is an important resource for students of all levels of education who are interested in history, archaeology, and the impact innovations or inventions throughout history have on the world. … Recommended.' L. Dubell, CHOICE

• List of illustrations; 1. Introduction: transitions and impacts; 2. Taming fire; 3. Domesticating horses; 4. Developing writing; 5. Inventing printing; 6. Communicating wirelessly; 7. Innovation, progress and presentism; Notes; Further reading; Index.