Persistent Pastoralism: Monuments and Settlements in the Archaeology of Dhofar
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Archaeopress
Published:2nd Mar '23
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A summary of archaeological teamwork along the Dhofar plateau and its backslope into the Nejd of Southern Oman, this book documents survey and excavation of small-scale stone monuments and pastoral settlements. Whether used as burial places, as landmarks, as mnemonic devices, or for other purposes, monuments are the enduring and prominent traces of desert pastoralists. In Dhofar, pastoralists constructed monuments in discrete pulses over 7500 years. Recognizing the dynamic ecosystems and climate regimes of Arabian prehistory, the author suggests that mobile pastoralists used monuments to link dispersed households into broader social communities. Furthermore, the range of practical adjustments to monuments as a consistent means of messaging among mobile people showcases the adaptive strength of Dhofar’s prehistoric inhabitants over time. A singular episode of settlement during a particularly arid period highlights the longer tradition of pastoral people on the move. With fictional vignettes to imagine the people who used these monuments, the chapters introduce archaeological analysis of the social identities, patterns of resource access, contacts, aversions, and exchanges with neighboring groups. Finally, the book underscores the rich heritage of persistent pastoralism within contemporary Oman.
‘En general, este libro tiene éxito al explicar la evolución y los conceptos esenciales del pastoralismo persistente a través del estudio arqueológico, centrándose en el ejemplo de la región de Dhofar, aunque también puede aplicarse a otras regiones áridas cercanas... Aunque este volumen está más enfocado a un público especializado..., McCorriston emplea una estructura muy clara y aligera el contenido a través de las breves historias de recreaciones del pasado incluidas en varios capítulos. Las imágenes, tablas y gráficas también están muy bien seleccionadas y ayudan a visualizar con mayor claridad el proceso de excavación y el trabajo de prospección.’ [translated: Overall, this book succeeds in explaining the evolution and essential concepts of persistent pastoralism through archaeological study, focusing on the example of the Dhofar region, although it can also be applied to other nearby arid regions.... Although this volume is more focused on a specialized audience …, McCorriston employs a very clear structure and lightens the content through the brief stories of past recreations included in several chapters. The images, tables, and graphs are also very well selected and help to visualize more clearly the excavation process and the prospecting work.] – Paula Gómez Sanz(2023): ISIMU Volumen 26
ISBN: 9781803274539
Dimensions: 297mm x 210mm x 7mm
Weight: 630g
162 pages