Definition: American anthropologist Elman Service's 1962 book, Primitive Social Organization, contained what would become a blueprint for the cultural evolutionary movement. In it, he described the concepts of ranking and social inequality, breaking civilization into four steps, bands, tribes, chiefdoms and states. Of course, the problem is, culture doesn't break up that neatly.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
