Guide to Library Resources for Anthropology 155AA
Prehistory and the Rise of Civilizations
The purpose of this guide is to assist students in finding sources of information that will help them better understand the topics being presented to them and to develop and research a topic for their final paper. Students are strongly encouraged to use this list as a starting point in their individual research.
Using the Online Catalog
http://www.plsinfo.org
Every effort has been made to locate sources that can be found in the Skyline College Library. However, many worthwhile sources were found at other libraries in the Peninsula Library System. When specified as such in the citations below, use the online catalog to search by title or author, determine which libraries have these sources available for circulation, and then request them at the Skyline College Library circulation desk.
Books in the Skyline College Library are organized using the Library of Congress classification system. This means that each book is provided with a set of subject headings used to locate the book in the online catalog and a unique call number, which is relative to its main subject matter, to locate the book on the shelf.
Searching the catalog
Searching by Subject heading in the online catalog can
be difficult, because the terms are specific to the vocabulary used by the
Library of Congress. An easier way to search by subject is to use keywords.
Once you have found a book using this method, you can click on the available
subject headings provided to find more books of the same topic. Some common
keywords used to search on this topic are:
Prehistory
Neolithic
Ancient civilizations
Prehistory
Prehistory China (or Ancient China)
Mesoamerica
Aztec
Maya
Harappa
Catal huyuk
Browsing the shelves
Books are arranged on the shelf by call number according to their main topic.
This will allow you to browse the shelves of books by call number ranges. Keep
in mind that some books will cover a range of topics, but can only be placed on
the shelf by one of those topics. Therefore, you only want to use this method
of searching along with searching in the online catalog. Some common call
number ranges on this topic are:
GN739 – GN743 (Prehistoric
peoples)
CB311 (Ancient civilizations)
F1219 – F1435 (
DS69.5 (
DT83 (
Writing and Research
Library Research Using Primary Sources
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/~clee/primarysources.html
Although this website is intended for UC Berkeley students, it provides a good overview of primary sources and search strategies for using an online catalog or journal database. Keep in mind that many of the subscription database links only work for UCB students, or for users on the UCB campus.
Harris, Robert A. Using Sources Effectively: Strengthening Your Writing
and Avoiding Plagiarism.
Skyline LB2369 .H37 2002
Brief, but clear, explanations on primary and secondary sources, how to select sources, note taking, writing strategies, and the importance of citing.
Sorenson, Sharon. How to Write Research Papers.
2nd ed.
Skyline LB2369 .S67 1998
Breaking research steps into prewriting, writing, and revision, this book explains how to develop a subject, use primary and secondary sources, and drafting techniques. One drawback to this source is that while it provides an overview of the MLA and APA citation styles, it does not include the Chicago Manual of Style, which is required for this class.
Peterson, Rai. Real-World Research: Sources
and Strategies for Composition.
Skyline LB2369 .P48 2000
In-depth research strategies are provided, including how to select a research topic, primary and secondary research, collecting information, evaluating sources, and the writing of the paper.
Evaluating Internet Resources
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html
http://www.infopeople.org/howto/bkmk/select.html
http://library.lib.binghamton.edu/search/evaluation.html
When using a website, it’s important to know whether the information you’re given (and potentially citing) is factual and authoritative. Several resources are provided here to help you evaluate websites and determine if you should use them in your research.
Reference sources
Skyline Ready Reference. Z253
.U69 1993
This is the required citation style for the American Anthropological Association, and is the style used for this class. The manual provides instructions for citing sources in the body of a paper as well as in the bibliography. Punctuation, grammar, and other writing assistance is included.
American Anthropological Association Style Guide
http://www.aaanet.org/pubs/style_guide.pdf
Based on the Chicago Manual of Style, this .pdf file outlines most of the basic style and citation rules that you will come across in writing your papers. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to read this file.
Journal Databases
InfoTrac OneFile Database
http://www.smccd.net/accounts/skylib/maglinks.html
The keywords used for searching in the online catalog can also be searched in this database. Keep in mind that not all articles are available as full-text.
JSTOR (available through the San Francisco Public Library)
http://www.sfpl.org/sfplonline/dbcategories.htm
This unusual, and highly recommended, database contains anthropology and archaeology full-text articles dating as far back as 1872 from a variety of scholarly journals, such as American Antiquity, Ethos, and Ethnohistory. In order to use this valuable resource, students are required to get an SFPL library card.
General Anthropology
Archaeology: An Introduction
http://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/kevin.greene/wintro/
Although the content of this site is primarily about archaeology, it also provides some text and links to information on civilizations. The site is meant to be a companion to Kevin Greene’s book, Archaeology: An Introduction. Although this book is not in the Peninsula Library System, it can be requested through Interlibrary Loan.
Anthropology Resources on the Internet
http://www.anthropologie.net/
This is a “webliography” of anthropology resources. Links are provided to excavation sites, maps, and online journals.
Civilizations and Their Characteristics
Trigger, Bruce G. Understanding Early Civilizations.
Skyline CB311 .T77 2003
Author of numerous books about ancient civilizations and society, Trigger looks at the similarities and differences in the sociopolitical organization, economic systems, religion, and culture amongst the civilizations of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, Shang China, the Aztecs, the Classic Maya, the Inka, and the Yoruba. Maps and some illustrations are provided, as well as an extensive index.
Wenke,
Robert J. Patterns in Prehistory: Humankind’s First Three Million
Years. 4th ed.
Skyline GN740 .W46 1999
As stated in its description, the author of this book “focuses on the four great transformations in the history of our genus: the evolution of “culture” itself; the first appearance of “us,” Homo Sapiens; the evolution of agriculture; and the first appearances of cultural and social “complexity” in the form of the great civilizations of antiquity.” Although the first third of the book deals with the fundamentals of archaeology and the evolution of man during the Stone Age, the second half provides a detailed discussion of the origin of agriculture and the development of complex societies with specific chapters on Southwest Asia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, China, Mesoamerica, Andean South America, and North America. Several maps, illustrations, and black and white photographs are provided.
Hawkes, Jacquetta. The
First Great Civilizations: Life in
Peninsula Library System
The author, who at the time of
publishing had participated in diggings and research, as well as authored and
edited several archaeological books, discusses and compares the civilizations
of
The Ancient
http://www.harappa.com/har/har0.html
Although there is a commercial aspect
to the group that produces this site, Harappa.com, they state that the work
shared on this website come from various
Shaw, Ian, ed., The
Skyline DT83 .O95 2002
This book describes and analyzes thirteen phases of Ancient Egyptian history ranging from the Paleolithic to the Roman Period. The analysis includes the social, political, economic, architecture, and cultural aspects of the different phases. Maps, illustrations, and photographs, both black and white and color, are included. There is also a glossary and a list of recommended books for further reading.
Digital
http://www.digitalegypt.ucl.ac.uk/Welcome.html
Theban Mapping Project
http://www.thebanmappingproject.com/
The Theban Mapping Project, which
is based at the
Treistman, Judith M. The
Prehistory of
Peninsula Library System
This book explores the preliterate
and early literate ages of
Townsend, Richard F. The Aztecs. Revised ed.
Peninsula Library System
The author, who has conducted field research at Aztec sites, extensively explores this civilization. Included in this exploration are urban traditions, the building of its empire, and their religion and beliefs. Additionally, there are many illustrations, black and white photographs, and a table charting the annual ceremonies of the Aztecs, and a bibliography for further reading.
Mellaart, James. Catal
Huyuk: A Neolithic Town in
Peninsula Library System
This book is based on the author’s findings at the Catal Huyuk’s excavation site. Included in the authoritative discussion are the site and its dating, the civilization’s architecture, shrines, burial customs, trade, and its people and their economy. Many illustrations and photographs, both black and white and color, are provided.
Catalhoyuk – Excavation Website
http://catal.arch.cam.ac.uk/catal/catal.html
This website is focused on archaeological findings. It provides a brief history of the Catal Huyuk excavations, newsletters dating back to 1995, excavation diary entries dating back to April of 1996, a moderated discussion group, and a bibliography for further reading.
Foster, Lynn V. Handbook to Life in the Ancient Maya World.
Skyline F1435 .F676 2002
Bertman, Stephen. Handbook
to Life in Ancient
Skyline DS69.5 .B47 2003
These books thoroughly explore the evolution of the Maya and Ancient Mesopotamia civilizations. Each book contains detailed chapters on society and government, warfare, religion, art, burial customs, architecture, trade, and daily life. Several maps, illustrations, and black and white photographs are provided, as well as a chronological chart and detailed index.
Nemet-Nejat, Karen Rhea. Daily Life in Ancient
Skyline DS69.5 .N4 1998
Sharer, Robert. Daily Life in Maya Civilization.
Skyline F1435 .S54 1996
These books provide an overview of the Ancient Mesopotamia and Maya civilizations, as well chapters detailing their societies, economies, governments, and religions. Both books provide illustrations and black and white photographs.
Carrasco, David. Daily Life of the Aztecs: People of the Sun and Earth.
Skyline F1219.73 .C355 1998
Although this is part of the Daily
Life series, the content varies from other books in the series. The author
provides an overview of the
Ancient World Wide Web: The
http://julen.net/ancient/Buildings_Monuments_and_Cities/
This page on the Ancient World Wide Web site provides a long list of links to cities and structures.
O’Connell, Robert L. Soul of the Sword: An Illustrated History of
Weaponry and Warfare from Prehistory to the Present.
Peninsula Library System
Although the text covering Prehistory is brief, it provides a good overview of the weaponry and the motivation behind warfare of ancient civilizations. Catal Huyuk is used as a specific example. Some illustrations and black and white photographs of artifacts are included.
Stierlin, Henri. Living Architecture: Ancient
Peninsula Library System
Several ancient sites are examined
and illustrations of the site plans are included. Sites include Teotihuaca,
The Archaeology of
http://archaeology.asu.edu/teo/index.php
The Archaeological Research Institute of Arizona State University has created this online exhibition of Mesoamerican civilization. The site includes maps, color photographs, and movies of the area.
Struever, Stuart, ed., Prehistoric Agriculture
(Garden City, NY: The Natural History Press, 1971).
Skyline GN424 .S8
Several writers contribute to this comprehensive work on the origins of agriculture and the role it played in development of civilization. A few illustrations and charts are included.