DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

Desert Peoples

Archaeological Perspectives

Mike Smith editor Peter Hiscock editor Peter Veth editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Published:10th Nov '04

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

This paperback is available in another edition too:

Desert Peoples cover

This book explores the adaptation of hunter-gatherer societies in desert landscapes, highlighting their behavioral systems and regional diversity, as discussed in Desert Peoples.

In Desert Peoples, readers are presented with a comprehensive overview of hunter-gatherer societies that inhabit desert landscapes. This work uniquely combines archaeological and anthropological perspectives, offering a rich tapestry of regional and thematic case studies. By exploring various deserts, from the sand dunes of Australia to the coastal and high-altitude deserts of South America, the book highlights the diversity and adaptability of human societies in these challenging environments.

The author delves into the key concepts essential for understanding how humans have adapted to marginal landscapes. By examining the behavioral and belief systems that underpin these adaptations, Desert Peoples provides insights into the ways in which desert inhabitants have navigated their environments. The book emphasizes the interconnectedness of hunter-gatherers, herders, and pastoralists, illustrating the complex relationships that exist among these groups.

With a focus on issues-oriented perspectives, Desert Peoples serves as an invaluable resource for those interested in the anthropology and archaeology of desert societies. It not only broadens the understanding of human adaptation but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the resilience and ingenuity of people living in some of the most arid regions of the world.

“This is an up-to-date and theoretically broad-ranging comparative treatment of desert hunter-gatherer archaeology and ethnology that introduces a new, fresh generation of scholars and issues. Bravo!” Richard Gould, Brown University


“Desert Peoples shows how important the world’s arid habitats have always been during the course of human evolution. The geographical scope of the contributions is breathtaking, their comparative approach to dynamics and interactions compelling. I congratulate the editors for making the desert bloom for human prehistory.” Clive Gamble, Royal Holloway, University of London


“A superb synthesis…. The authors use the opportunity to set out several probing questions that will underpin future research on how societies adapt to challenging environments.” John Dodson, Brunel University and University of Western Australia

"Competent, well-written summaries of local culture history...several of the essays merit serious attention from readers of this journal." Archaeology in Oceania

"In this era of regional and topical specialisation, which often leads to perochialism, the editors of this book can take great satisfaction in having provided a venue for looking at the big picture."
Australian Archaeology

"Desert Peoples: Archaeological Perspectives is an essential source for those interested in hunting-gathering lifeways." Laurie Milne, Canadian Journal of Archaeology

ISBN: 9781405100915

Dimensions: 246mm x 172mm x 17mm

Weight: 562g

320 pages