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, providing new insights into how these societies maintained vast amounts of pragmatic information concerning various aspects of their environment.

Through a detailed analysis of material mnemonic devices and archaeological evidence from three sites, Kelly offers a groundbreaking tool for understanding the purpose of monumental structures built by non-literate cultures.

With its focus on both historic and archaeological contexts, this book is an essential read for anyone interested in the intricacies of prehistoric societies and their remarkable ability to preserve knowledge through generations.