
The Prehistory of Music
Human Evolution, Archaeology, and the Origins of Musicality
Iain Morley(Author)
Oxford University Press
Published on 24. October 2013
Book
Hardback
464 pages
978-0-19-923408-0 (ISBN)
Description
Music is possessed by all human cultures, and archaeological evidence for musical activities pre-dates even the earliest-known cave art. Music has been the subject of keen investigation across a great diversity of fields, from neuroscience and psychology to ethnography, archaeology, and its own dedicated field, musicology. Despite the great contributions that these studies have made towards understanding musical behaviours, much remains mysterious about this ubiquitous human phenomenon - not least, its origins.
In a ground-breaking study, this volume brings together evidence from these fields, and more, in investigating the evolutionary origins of our musical abilities, the nature of music, and the earliest archaeological evidence for musical activities amongst our ancestors. Seeking to understand the true relationship between our unique musical capabilities and the development of the remarkable social, emotional, and communicative abilities of our species, it will be essential reading for anyone interested in music and human physical and cultural evolution.
In a ground-breaking study, this volume brings together evidence from these fields, and more, in investigating the evolutionary origins of our musical abilities, the nature of music, and the earliest archaeological evidence for musical activities amongst our ancestors. Seeking to understand the true relationship between our unique musical capabilities and the development of the remarkable social, emotional, and communicative abilities of our species, it will be essential reading for anyone interested in music and human physical and cultural evolution.
Reviews / Votes
[A] superb book ... very clear and easy to follow and understand. * Sean Gurd, The Classical Journal * an up-to-date and authoritative overview of recent research on evolution and cognition of musicality ... a comprehensive and sophisticated outline of the present state of play by a leading authority ... The text is geared seamlessly to academics, students, and general readership; its accessible style and keen exposition will no doubt garner enthusiasm for the project. * Dr Anton Killin, Biology & Philosophy *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
26 in-text illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
857 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-923408-0 (9780199234080)
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

Book
06/2018
Oxford University Press
€43.50
Shipment within 15-20 days

Iain Morley
Prehistory of Music: Human Evolution, Archaeology, and the Origins of Musicality
Human Evolution, Archaeology, and the Origins of Musicality
E-Book
10/2013
1st Edition
OUP Oxford
€111.59
Available for download
Person
Dr Iain Morley is Lecturer in Palaeoanthropology and Human Sciences at the University of Oxford, and a Fellow of St Hugh's College. He teaches human evolution and the evolution of human cognition. Particular areas of interest include the emergence of ritual and religion, Palaeolithic imagery, and the evolutionary origins and archaeology of music.
Author
Lecturer in Palaeoanthropology and Human Sciences, Oxford University, and Fellow of St. Hugh's College, Oxford
Content
PREFACE; LISTOF ILLUSTRATIONS; APPENDIX; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEX