Back to the Stone Age: Race and Prehistory in Contemporary Culture

Prehistoric human life is a common reference point in contemporary culture, inspiring attempts to become happier, healthier, or better people. Ben Pitcher's book "Back to the Stone Age" explores how ideas about race are woven into the origin stories we use to explain who we are and where we came from. He argues that popular flights back in time provide insights into present-day anxieties, obsessions, and concerns and places racial justice at the center of questions about the existence and persistence of Homo sapiens in the contemporary world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2022
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

Prehistoric human life serves as a prevalent reference point in contemporary culture, igniting endeavors to attain greater happiness, improved health, and enhanced personal development. However, capitalism has exploited us, technology has overwhelmed us, and we face the looming threat of environmental catastrophe. Consequently, we implore the prehistoric era to escape the present and provide alternative models for living our lives.

In his book "Back to the Stone Age," Ben Pitcher delves into the intricate relationship between ideas about race and the powerful origin stories we employ to understand our identity, origins, and characteristics. Through a wide array of examples drawn from popular culture, encompassing everyday practices such as lighting fires and walking in the woods, as well as engagements with genetic technologies and Neanderthal DNA, Pitcher illustrates how prehistory remains alive in the twenty-first century. He argues that popular excursions into the past offer valuable insights into contemporary anxieties, obsessions, and concerns.

"Back to the Stone Age" demonstrates that the human past is not fixed or immutable. By critically examining the prehistoric era, Pitcher centers racial justice at the forefront of inquiries into the existence and persistence of Homo sapiens in the contemporary world. This book challenges us to reevaluate our understanding of the past and its implications for our present and future. It encourages us to explore alternative ways of living and to strive for a more just and equitable society.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 154 x 229 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228014522