Publisher's Synopsis
Collapse, crisis and transformation of cultures & civilisations are integral parts of human history. Underlying causes to crises may be searched for in internal factors within society itself, in external factors, or in a combination of both. While negative effects may be evident - such as starvation, epidemics, social unrest, war, natural disasters, overexploitation of natural resources - causal relationships are often complex & difficult to sort out. The ability to cope with crises has varied between societies & through time, & has depended on internal social & cultural factors. The rise, peak, decline, collapse & regeneration of cultural complexes & civilisations are the main topic of this volume. Societal crises are discussed & analysed from an archaeological & interdisciplinary perspective, both theoretical & empirical, regardless of their geographical or chronological context.
