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Against the grain : a deep history of the earliest states / James C. Scott
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Against the grain : a deep history of the earliest states / James C. Scott

by James C. Scott

This study challenges traditional narratives regarding the rise of early civilisations by examining archaeological evidence of domestication and sedentary agriculture. It explores the origins of agrarian states, the impact of disease, and the role of unfree labour.

Accession 12583 ISBN 9780300182910 Publisher —
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Curated Derived
Animals Archaeology Biography Civilisation Control Crime Culture Food and Drink Geography History Humanity Life Sciences Plants Political Science Politics Science Social Sciences
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Hard Back
dimensions
234.00 (H) × 156.00 (W) × 22.00 (T) mm
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Identity

name→ title
Against the grain : a deep history of the earliest states / James C. Scott
vernon_id
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12583
vernon_slug
against-the-grain-a-deep-history-of-the-earliest-states-james-c-scott

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isbn_issn→ isbn (when valid)
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Descriptive

production_date
2017
object_type
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object_status
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brief_description
An account of all the new and surprising evidence now available for the beginnings of the earliest civilizations that contradict the standard narrative Why did humans abandon hunting and gathering for sedentary communities dependent on livestock and cereal grains, and governed by precursors of today s states? Most people believe that plant and animal domestication allowed humans, finally, to settle down and form agricultural villages, towns, and states, which made possible civilization, law, public order, and a presumably secure way of living. But archaeological and historical evidence challenges this narrative. The first agrarian states, says James C. Scott, were born of accumulations of domestications: first fire, then plants, livestock, subjects of the state, captives, and finally women in the patriarchal family-all of which can be viewed as a way of gaining control over reproduction. Scott explores why we avoided sedentism and plow agriculture, the advantages of mobile subsistence, the unforeseeable disease epidemics arising from crowding plants, animals, and grain, and why all early states are based on millets and cereal grains and unfree labor. He also discusses the barbarians who long evaded state control, as a way of understanding continuing tension between states and nonsubject peoples.

Subjects & people

authors→ author (initial fill only)
James C. Scott
tags→ tags
Cities and towns, Human settlements, Human ecology, Ecology, Environmental sciences, Science, History, Archaeology, Persons, Political science, Social sciences, Civilisation, Sociology, War, International relations, Social history, Agriculture, Crime, Social problems, Animals, History, Ancient, World history, Domestic animals, Food, Slavery, Crimes against humanity, Political science -- Philosophy, Agriculture -- History, Neolithic period, Stone age, Horticulture, Big history, Domestication, Grain, City-states, Grain -- Storage, Granaries, Political psychology, Nomads -- Sedentarisation
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Cover image

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