Bronze Age Worlds: A Social Prehistory of Britain and Ireland

Bronze Age Worlds challenges traditional theories of kinship by exploring how it shaped social life in Bronze Age Britain and Ireland. It argues that kinship was a rich and inventive sphere of culture that incorporated biological relations but was not determined by them, forming personhood and collective belonging and associating people with nonhuman beings, things, and places.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 374 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Britain and Ireland underwent a remarkable transformation during the twenty-fifth to eighth centuries BC, marked by diverse landscapes, societies, and profound cultural shifts. Migrations, evolving beliefs about death, the mastery of metalworking, and the establishment of house and field systems shaped the lives of the people. This book explores the emergence of these processes from the intricate tapestry of social life, drawing insights from events, places, and landscapes.

At the heart of this exploration lies a novel theory of kinship, which recognizes kinship as a multifaceted and dynamic cultural sphere. While biological relations played a significant role, kinship went beyond them to shape personhood, collective belonging, and the connections between individuals, nonhuman beings, things, and places. The variations in kinship and kinwork across Ireland and Britain added depth and complexity to social life and contributed to the formation of distinct Bronze Age worlds.

For archaeologists and anthropologists seeking to understand the role of kinship in Bronze Age societies and cultural development, Bronze Age Worlds presents fresh perspectives and insights. It encourages a reevaluation of traditional approaches and fosters a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between kinship, social organization, and cultural change. By exploring the rich tapestry of Bronze Age societies, this book sheds light on the enduring legacies of this pivotal period and its profound impact on the development of human societies.

Weight: 726g
Dimension: 153 x 234 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138037885