Cities Against the State / David Wengrow

[@PaulThronson]

How exciting! A follow up to Dawn of Everything that looks to continue the popular and successful trend to challenge tired academic assumptions.

[@okaytoletgo]

Stunning. Thank you. Still, how damaged these sites are now, what with the horror in Ukraine now.

[@kensurrency2564]

All I can say is “Holy Shit!!” They’re really doing it-upending the old, tired narratives of our history! Thank god for LIDAR!!!

[@Stegeln]

Does anyone know where I can read more about Japanese "chain burning", mentioned in the very last question?

[@julianshepherd2038]

You need a lot of evidence but if you pull it off you get a top job and a medal from the king or Nobel or both

[@roc7880]

Such sites can be found also in Romania, Serbia, and the Balkans. But to assume that the lack of temples and administration buildings proves the lack of a centralized state is shallow and simplistic, power relationships can exist in many forms. check the Native American network of settlements that also lacked such structures, this is Sumero-centrism.

[@FullerHob]

He covers Native American settlements (and the various power relationships found within) *extensively* in his book with Graeber and they are central to the book's arguments

[@waltergarcia8273]

Can someone explain guide or unpack what this Sumerian-centric analysis is comprised of; who are its proponents?? Thank you