Knowledge and Power in Prehistoric Societies: Orality, Memory and the Transmission of Culture

This book by Lynne Kelly explores the fascinating role of formal knowledge systems in small-scale oral cultures, shedding light on how these societies maintained vast amounts of pragmatic information concerning various aspects of their environment through material mnemonic devices.

With a focus on both historic and archaeological contexts, Kelly provides new insights into the purpose of monuments and associated decorated objects at sites such as Chaco Canyon, Poverty Point, and Stonehenge.

Whether you're interested in anthropology, archaeology, or simply want to learn more about how ancient societies managed to remember so much without writing, this book is a must-read.