Prehistoric Men

Braidwood, Robert J. (Robert John), 1907-2003Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

4.0

Word count: 315K words
Chapters: 32

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Prehistoric Men by Robert J. BraidwoodAuthor: Braidwood, Robert J. (Robert John), 1907-2003,Language: English, Class: GN: Geography, Anthropology, Recreation: Anthropology, Release Date: Jul 28, 2016

Editor's review

Prehistoric Men is an overview of prehistoric humanity written for general readers by archaeologist Robert J. Braidwood. A public-domain eBook from Project Gutenberg, it is classified under anthropology. Drawing on archaeological evidence, the author traces human development from the Paleolithic era to early agricultural societies, focusing on changes in materials, tools, and ways of life rather than on fiction or speculation. Written in English throughout, the book is clearly organized and includes explanations for beginners, making it a suitable English-language introduction to prehistoric archaeology and human origins. Its strength lies in turning specialized archaeological findings into readable narrative, helping readers build a chronological framework and a sense of evidence. Readers may follow the thread with maps and chronological clues, and it also works well as supplementary extensive reading for anthropology courses.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Beginning readers interested in prehistoric humans and archaeology
Students who need English extensive reading material in anthropology
General readers who want to build a chronological framework of human evolution
Readers who prefer to understand history through material evidence

Not a good fit for

Specialists seeking the latest archaeological research
Readers with weak English skills who find the original text difficult
Readers who prefer fiction or literary narrative

Reading tips

Sketch a timeline of periods and stages as you read to clarify the sequence of development.
Note archaeological terms as you go, then look them up together after finishing the section.
Read alongside a map and pay attention to differences in materials across regions.
After each chapter, retell the main points in your own words to check your understanding.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book suitable for readers with no archaeology background at all?

Yes. The author writes for general readers and emphasizes explanation rather than piling up terminology. Complete beginners can read through once for an overall impression, then return to unfamiliar archaeological concepts for closer reading.

Does the book include the latest archaeological discoveries?

This is an early public-domain work and reflects the archaeological understanding of the author's time; it does not include later discoveries. Read it as an introductory account in the history of the discipline, not as a survey of the latest research.

What prior knowledge is needed to read this book?

No specialized prior knowledge is required; basic English reading ability is enough. A little familiarity with the timeline of world history will make the reading smoother, but it is not necessary for following the main thread, as the book explains periods and background as it goes.

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About the author

Braidwood, Robert J. (Robert John), 1907-2003 Author · American · 1907–2003

Robert J. Braidwood (1907–2003) was an American archaeologist who devoted long-term study to early agriculture and village communities of the Neolithic Near East. His work centered on the key question of how humans moved from hunting and gathering to farming and settled life, and his field research and comparative studies in the region were influential. One of his works is held in this collection: Prehistoric Men, a book for general readers that presents the lifeways and technological development of prehistoric people, reflecting his ability to turn specialized research into clear narrative. Public information on his education, institutional posts, and specific excavations is limited, so those details are not discussed here; on the strength of his research field and known works alone, he is regarded as one of the important scholars of the origins of early agriculture.