One of the most admired artists of the twentieth century, Max Ernst was a proponent of Dada and founder of surrealism, known for his strange, evocative paintings and drawings. In Prehistoric Future, Ralph Ubl approaches Ernst like no one else has, using theories of the unconscious—surrealist automatism, Freudian psychoanalysis, the concept of history as trauma—to examine how Ernst’s construction of collage departs from other modern artists. Ubl shows that while Picasso, Braque, and Man Ray used scissors and glue to create collages, Ernst employed techniques he himself had forged—rubbing and scraping to bring images forth onto a sheet of paper or canvas to simulate how a screen image or memory comes into the mind’s view. In addition, Ernst scoured the past for obsolete scientific illustrations and odd advertisements to illustrate the rapidity with which time passes and to simulate the apprehension generated when rapid flows of knowledge turn living culture into artifact. Ultimately, Ubl reveals, Ernst was interested in the construction and phenomenology of both collective and individual modern history and memory. Shedding new light on Ernst’s working methods and the reasons that his pieces continue to imprint themselves in viewers’ memories, Prehistoric Future is an innovative work of critical writing on a key figure of surrealism.
Feminist cultural historian Lucia Chiavola Birnbaum caps her previous work with The Future has an Ancient Heart, a scholarly study of the transformative legacy of African origins and values of caring, sharing, healing, and vision carried by African migrants throughout the world. Birnbaum focuses on the long endurance of these values from the first human communities in south and central Africa, ones that Africans manifested in the region of the African mediterranean landmass that later separated Africa from Europe and Asia when the ice melted and waters rose. These migrants reached every continent and later became spiritual as well as geograpical migrations back to Africa, from ancient times to the transformative present. Using the same methods as her teaching, Birnbaum employs a mutual learning process in her work to help us think about our own ancestral story, adding to the wisdom we need to surmount contemporary crises and give us the energy to help bring a more equal and just world into being. Her methodologies are grounded on empirical techniques of science and the social sciences and yet leave openings for the liminal knowledge that resides underneath and beyond boundaries of established religions, secular ideologies, and conventional science. A true work of transformation, The Future has an Ancient Heart opens the door to new possibilities within our world.
This book presents a unique selection of fully reviewed, extended papers originally presented at the Social Simulation Conference 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. Only papers on the simulation of historical processes have been selected, the aim being to present theories and methods of computer simulation that can be relevant to understanding the past. Applications range from the Paleolithic and the origins of social life up to the Roman Empire and Early Modern societies. Case studies from Europe, America, Africa and Asia have been selected for publication. The extensive introduction offers a thorough review of the computer simulation of social dynamics in past societies as a means of understanding human history. This book will be of great interest to researchers in the social sciences, archaeology, evolutionary anthropology, and social history.
Pack your bags, time-travelers! Prehistoric World is your ticket to exploring a wild landscape of over 1,200 incredible prehistoric mammals. Did you know that the woolly mammoth’s tusks could grow up to a whopping 16 feet long? Or that ancient kangaroos didn’t hop? From ferocious predators to gentle giants and strange critters that defy imagination, Prehistoric World is the ultimate journey into the past. Each page brings a new creature to life with incredible facts and stunning illustrations by award-winning paleoartist Julius Csotonyi. Inside you’ll find: Hundreds of species profiles covering anatomy, diet, habitat, cool features, and unique characteristics Features on well-known paleontologists and their awesome finds Other key discoveries and specimens in museums around the world Come face-to-face with a world where giant sloths hung from towering trees, mammoths battled the bitter cold, and fearsome saber-toothed tigers ruled the land with Prehistoric World.
How did science rise up to so dramatically change our world, and where will it take us in the future? This book gives a unique and broad overview. A brief history reveals the major phases and turning points in the rise of science from the earliest civilizations to the present: How was science ‘discovered’? Why did it disappear a few times? When did it become ‘modern’? A critical assessment examines how science actually ‘happens’: the triumphs, the struggles, the mistakes and the luck. Science today is endlessly fascinating, and this book explores the current exponential growth, curiosity-driven vs. goal-oriented research, big and small science, the support of science, the relation of science to society, philosophy and religion, and the benefits and dangers of science. Finally a glimpse into the future: Will the current pace of science continue? Will we ever go backwards (again)? What remains to be discovered? Can science ever be complete? What can we imagine for the distant future? This book will be of wide interest to the general reader as well as to students and working scientists. This book provides a fresh, unique and insightful coverage of the processes of science, its impact on society and our understanding of the world, based on the author’s experience gained from a lifetime in science. Ron Ekers, FRS, CSIRO Fellow, CSIRO Astronomy & Space Science, former President of the International Astronomical Union Peter Shaver's comprehensive and lively survey deserves a wide readership. Scientific discoveries are part of our global culture and heritage, and they underpin our lives. It's fascinating to learn how they were made, and how they fit into the grand scheme. This book isn't just for scientists - it's written for all of us. Martin Rees, FRS, Astronomer Royal, former President of the Royal Society and former Master of Trinity College, Cambridge This book offers a wonderfully concise and accessible insight into science – its history, breadth and future prospects. Peter Shaver gives a feeling for what it actually means to be a practicing scientist. Stephen Simpson, FRS, Academic Director, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney
This book provides a concise overview of human prehistory. It shows how an understanding of the distant past offers new perspectives on present-day challenges facing our species - and how we can build a sustainable future for all life on planet Earth. Deborah Barsky tells a fascinating story of the long-term evolution of human culture and provides up-to-date examples from the archaeological record to illustrate the different phases of human history. Barsky also presents a refreshing and original analysis about issues plaguing modern globalized society, such as racism, institutionalized religion, the digital revolution, human migrations, terrorism, and war. Written in an accessible and engaging style, Human Prehistory is aimed at an introductory-level audience. Students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the interdisciplinary, scientific study of human prehistory, as well as the theoretical interpretations of human evolutionary processes that are used in contemporary archaeological practice. Definitions, tables, and illustrations accompany the text.
This book, organised into 14 well-crafted chapters, charts the archaeology, folklore, heritage and landscape development of one of England's most enigmatic monuments, Old Oswestry Hillfort, from the Iron Age, through its inclusion as part of an early medieval boundary between England and Wales, to its role during World War I.
Prehistoric Adventures In the wild Mesozoic Era, join the Triceratops Troop as they discover the ancient world, facing exciting challenges and making bonds that can't be broken. In Summary: Children love "Prehistoric Adventures" because it tells the exciting story of a brave group of Triceratops who go on an adventure through the Mesozoic era's wild and unknown areas. While Trixie guides them, these young dinosaurs go through a number of events that test their bravery, intelligence, and ability to connect with others. As they move, they see the big, colorful world of their time, which is full of both amazing things and dangerous things. At the start of the story, the troop goes on its first trip into the unknown because they are curious and want to follow a set of strange tracks. Their natural interest leads them to a series of scary encounters with Tyrannosaurus Rexs that test their ability to be brave and think quickly. Along the way, they face tough situations like a raging river and a dangerous volcanic blast, which shows how strong and united they are. While traveling, Trixie and her friends learn the value of kindness and compassion when they find a lost egg. This teaches them to be aware of other living things around them. Building this sense of community is a feast of friendship that brings together many species in peace and joy. Through their study, they learn more about their surroundings and the important water source, which leads them to mysterious echoing caves and a secret oasis. They also find fossils from a long time ago, which makes them think about their ancestors and links them to the planet's long past. Trixie and her friends are smarter, closer together, and excited to share what they've learned when they get home. They are no longer just explorers. They learn important lessons about friendship, life, and the many mysteries of their ancient society on their trip. "Prehistoric Adventures" is more than just a story about dinosaurs getting into trouble. It's also an educational and inspiring trip through time. Young readers are told to learn about history, enjoy nature, and know that bravery, unity, and kindness are always important. Trixie and her troop show kids that trips aren't just about getting to the end point; they're also about making friends and learning things along the way. Chapter 1: The Start of an Adventure As the sky turned pink and orange with the first light of morning, Trixie the Triceratops and her friends stretched their legs. It was a new day in the Mesozoic age. The world was waking up, and the air was filled with the sounds of nature, including the roars of dinosaurs and the songs of primitive birds. The lush landscape that went on as far as the eye could see was full of life, from the tall trees with their big leaves to the peaceful streams that ran through the land and gave any animal that crossed them a drink. With her thick wings and sharp horns, Trixie was not a normal Triceratops. She was young, full of energy, and very interested in everything going on around her. Her friends were a variety of dinosaurs, and they all loved to go on adventures. Each dinosaur had its own special abilities and traits. The Stegosaurus, Stego, was always ready to protect the group. His spiked tail and row of huge plates going down his back made him easy to spot. The Pterodactyl Pterosaur flew through the sky, scanning the distance for signs of trouble or discovery. He was followed by the Brachiosaurus Bronto, whose neck could reach the trees' sweetest leaves when it was stretched out. As the sun rose higher and turned the sky a bright blue, Trixie led her friends into the unknown. The Mesozoic was a very long time ago, and it was a very big time. Deep rivers cut through the land, carrying both dangerous and interesting animals. There were also huge grasslands where groups of dinosaurs walked freely. It looked like the lush woods went on forever. There was no doubt that the group was excited as they left. Every strange sound, even the rustling of bushes, made them more interested. What would be new for them to learn now? Are they going to find a new kind of plant that Bronto can eat? They might find a clean, cold pond where they could all cool off, or they might find a secret path that leads to a part of their planet that no one knew about before. With each step, Trixie and her friends learned something new about their house. Seeing how life moved around them made them aware of how delicate nature's balance is. Any living thing, from the biggest dinosaur to the tiniest bug, was seen to depend on each other. Through their trips, they learned how important it is to work together and be friends. It taught them to depend on each other's skills and help each other out when things got tough. As they experienced the wild beauty of the Mesozoic era, they learned most of all what it means to truly adventure. It was about getting past problems and seeing new places, but it was also about being open to the world, learning something new every day, and growing as a person. As the sun went down and long shadows went over the area, Trixie and her friends knew that the day's events were coming to an end. But their hearts full of happiness and their minds full of stories from the day, they went back to where they had last rested. They went to sleep under a sky full of stars and dreamed of all the things they could do in the huge, lush world of the Mesozoic times. Chapter 2: Mysterious Traces As Trixie the Triceratops and her friends went deeper into the dark, green jungle on a lovely morning, they came across something strange. They had never seen those footsteps before in the soft, wet ground. The fact that these tracks were big and well-defined showed that the animal that made them was different from anything they had seen before. The footprint shapes interested Trixie and her friends because there was always something new to learn about the world, they lived in with so many interesting species during the Mesozoic era. The team was eager to figure out the puzzle, so they chose to follow the footprint path. With each step, they went deeper into the forest, where no one had been before. Only small bits of sunlight could reach the ground because of the thick canopy above. The dance of shadows added to the mystery and excitement of their journey. As they followed the path, they thought about what kind of animal had left these marks. Was it polite? Bronto, was it taller than the tallest of them? It might have had long, spreading wings like their flying friend Ptero. Along their trip, they did more than just follow a path. They also learned about the fragile balance of their world and made new discoveries. They saw how the tracks affected the tiny plants and animals that lived on the forest floor. Some plants seemed to do well in the disturbed soil, and they saw different ways that the path's light got through the trees. These discoveries, like parts of a jigsaw puzzle, gave them clues about the past of their original world. As the group traveled, their minds were filled with all the possible outcomes. They thought about meeting a new dinosaur that had pretty feathers or could sing. It was talked about how they would meet each other, make friends, tour the forests, and share what they knew.
