
The Fifth Beginning
What Six Million Years of Human History Can Tell Us about Our Future
Robert L. Kelly(Author)
University of California Press
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 15. November 2016
Book
Hardback
168 pages
978-0-520-29312-0 (ISBN)
Description
"I have seen yesterday. I know tomorrow." This inscription in Tutankhamun's tomb summarizes The Fifth Beginning. Here, archeologist Robert Kelly explains how the study of our cultural past can predict the future of humanity. In an eminently readable style, Kelly identifies four key pivot points in the six-million-year history of human development: the emergence of technology, culture, agriculture, and the state. In each example, the author examines the long-term processes that resulted in a definitive no-turning-back change for the organization of society. Kelly then looks ahead, giving us evidence for what he calls a fifth beginning, one that began about AD 1500. Some might call it "globalization," but the author places it in its larger context: a 5,000-year arms race, capitalism's global reach, and the cultural effects of a worldwide communication network. Kelly predicts the emergent phenomena of this fifth beginning will include the end of war as a viable way to resolve disputes, the end of capitalism as we know it, the widespread appearance of world citizenship, and forms of cooperation that end nation-states' near-sacred status. It's the end of life, as we have known it.
However, this book and the author are cautiously optimistic: it dwells not on the coming chaos, but on humanity's great potential.
However, this book and the author are cautiously optimistic: it dwells not on the coming chaos, but on humanity's great potential.
Reviews / Votes
"This closely argued and beautifully written book is a brilliant statement as to why archaeology, and an archaeological perspective, are of central importance in today's world... It's a cliche these days to remark that a book belongs on everyone's bookshelves, but in this case it's the truth. Everyone interested in the past and the future will find this a wonderful starting point for their thinking. Above all, it talks about archaeology in fluent and jargon-free language that will appeal to a very broad audience indeed. This isn't a book about the romance of archaeology or spectacular discoveries. It's, quite simply, the best essay on archaeology I've ever read. I hope it becomes a classic." -- Brian Fagan Current World ArchaeologyMore details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Berkerley
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
2 maps, 2 charts
Dimensions
Height: 236 mm
Width: 159 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
369 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-520-29312-0 (9780520293120)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Robert L. Kelly
The Fifth Beginning
What Six Million Years of Human History Can Tell Us about Our Future
Book
02/2019
1st Edition
University of California Press
€19.00
Shipment within 10-20 days

Robert L. Kelly
The Fifth Beginning
What Six Million Years of Human History Can Tell Us about Our Future
E-Book
11/2016
1st Edition
University of California Press
€9.49
Available for download
Person
Robert L. Kelly is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Wyoming. He is a past president of the Society for American Archaeology, current editor of American Antiquity, author of The Lifeways of Hunter-Gatherers, and coauthor of two popular textbooks, Archaeology and Archaeology: Down to Earth. He has conducted archaeological research throughout the western United States for more than forty years.
Content
Preface
1. The End of the World as We Know It
2. How Archaeologists Think
3. Sticks and Stones: The Beginning of Technology
4. Beads and Stories: The Beginning of Culture
5. Bread and Beer: The Beginning of Agriculture
6. Kings and Chains: The Beginning of the State
7. Nothing Lasts Forever: The Fifth Beginning
Notes
Bibliography
Index
1. The End of the World as We Know It
2. How Archaeologists Think
3. Sticks and Stones: The Beginning of Technology
4. Beads and Stories: The Beginning of Culture
5. Bread and Beer: The Beginning of Agriculture
6. Kings and Chains: The Beginning of the State
7. Nothing Lasts Forever: The Fifth Beginning
Notes
Bibliography
Index