Shamanism and the ancient mind : a cognitive approach to archaeology / James L. Pearson.

By:

Pearson, James L, 1938-

Series: Archaeology of religion ; v. 2Publication details: Walnut Creek, CA : AltaMira Press, c2002.Description: ix, 195 p. : ill. ; 24 cmISBN:

0759101558 (cloth : alk. paper)
0759101566 (pbk. : alk. paper)

Subject(s):

DDC classification:

930.1/01 21

LOC classification:

CC175 .P43 2002

Contents:

Foreword by Brian Fagan -- Antecedents to Cognitive Archaeology -- The Roots of Cognitive Archaeology -- The Tools of Cognitive Archaeology -- The Evolution of Rock Art Research -- Rock Art Research in the Americas -- Shamanism -- Using the Tools of Cognitive Archaeology -- The Non-Archaeological Case for Shamanism -- The Archaeological Evidence for Shamanism -- Summary and Conclusions.

Summary: Publisher description: Pearson brings a cogent, well-argued case for the understanding of much prehistoric art as shamanistic practice. Using the theoretical premises of cognitive archaeology and a careful examination of rock art worldwide, Pearson is able to dismiss other theories of why ancient peoples produced art-totemism, art-for-art's sake, structuralism, hunting magic. Then examining both ethnographic and neuropsychological evidence, he makes a strong case for the use of shamanistic ritual and hallucinogenic substances as the genesis of much prehistoric art. Bolstered with examples from contemporary cultures and archaeological sites around the world, Pearson's thesis should be of interest not only to archaeologists, but art historians, psychologists, cultural anthropologist, and the general public.Summary: Publisher description: About The Author: James L. Pearson has a Ph.D. in archaeology from University of California, Santa Barbara. He became an archaeologist after a long career as a business executive and is now working toward bringing archaeology to the general public.

Holdings
Item type	Current library	Shelving location	Call number	Copy number	Status	Date due	Barcode
Book	NMC Library	Stacks	CC175 .P43 2002 (Browse shelf(Opens below))	1	Available		33039000710599

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Includes bibliographical references (p. 169-187) and index.

Publisher description: Pearson brings a cogent, well-argued case for the understanding of much prehistoric art as shamanistic practice. Using the theoretical premises of cognitive archaeology and a careful examination of rock art worldwide, Pearson is able to dismiss other theories of why ancient peoples produced art-totemism, art-for-art's sake, structuralism, hunting magic. Then examining both ethnographic and neuropsychological evidence, he makes a strong case for the use of shamanistic ritual and hallucinogenic substances as the genesis of much prehistoric art. Bolstered with examples from contemporary cultures and archaeological sites around the world, Pearson's thesis should be of interest not only to archaeologists, but art historians, psychologists, cultural anthropologist, and the general public.

Publisher description: About The Author: James L. Pearson has a Ph.D. in archaeology from University of California, Santa Barbara. He became an archaeologist after a long career as a business executive and is now working toward bringing archaeology to the general public.

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