The Power of Nature: Archaeology and Human-Environmental Dynamics

The Power of Nature explores the force and impact of nature relative to human knowledge, action, and volition through case studies from around the world. It highlights the ways in which nature retains the upper hand in human agentive environmental discourse, and offers an insightful perspective on the current anthropological emphasis on how humans affect the environment.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 21 March 2023
Publisher: University Press of Colorado

Archaeologists explore the powerful and influential force of nature in relation to human knowledge, action, and volition in The Power of Nature. Through case studies from diverse sociopolitical contexts, spanning from early agricultural societies to states and empires, the book sheds light on how nature consistently maintains a dominant position in human discourse on the environment. It offers a valuable perspective on the current anthropological emphasis on human impact on the environment.

Climatic events, pathogens, and animals, as nonhuman agents, present our species with dynamic conditions that surpass human capabilities. Humans have adapted their architecture to cope with relentless storms, such as in Japan and the Caribbean, or have embraced natural disasters as opportunities for renewal and innovation, as seen in ancient Roman cities. By employing the concept of "agency," which encompasses the interactions between multiple sentient and nonhuman actors within a landscape, the authors provide compelling explanations of the profound effects of a vast realm of natural powers that have shaped human societies throughout history. These powers encompass storms, earthquakes, fires, vegetation, domestic animals, and wild birds.

Throughout the book, the emphasis lies on the philosophical and engineering adjustments made by humans to resiliently navigate the ever-changing natural world. By adopting an archaeological lens, The Power of Nature vividly illustrates and analyzes the myriad ways in which humans lack control over their environments. This insightful work will be of immense interest to scholars, researchers, and anyone seeking to understand the complex interplay between humans and nature.

Weight: 492g
ISBN-13: 9781646423514