Contents

List of figures and tables, p. IX

Preface, p. XI

PART I
The idea of primitive society, p. 1
1 The myth of primitive society, p. 3
2 Barbarian, savage, primitive, p. 20

PART II
Ancient law, ancient society and totemism, p. 37
3 Henry Maine’s patriarchal theory, p. 39
4 Lewis Henry Morgan and Ancient Society, p. 59
5 The question of totemism, p. 82

PART III
Evolution and diffusion: Boas, Rivers and Radcliffe-Brown, p. I 13
6 The Boasians and the critique of evolutionism, p. 115
7 From Rivers to Radcliffe-Brown, p. 135

PART IV
Descent and alliance, p. 161
8 Descent theory: a phoenix from the ashes, p. 163
9 Towards the intellect: alliance theory and totemism, p. 180

PART V
Back to the beginning, p. 201
10 The return of the native, p. 203
11 Conclusion, p. 219

Notes, p. 225

References, p. 244

Index, p. 265

"The Invention of Primitive Society, Adam Kuper’s best selling critique of ideas about the origins of society and religion that have been much debated since Darwin, has been hugely influential in anthropology and post-colonial studies.
This topical new edition, entitled The Reinvention of Primitive Society, has been thoroughly revised and updated to take account of new research in the field. It coincides with a revival of the myth of primitive society by the ‘indigenous peoples’ movement’, which taps into a widespread popular belief about the noble savage and reflects a romantic reaction against ‘civilisation’ and ‘science’. By way of fascinating accounts of classic texts in anthropology, classical studies and law, the book reveals how wholly mistaken theories can become the basis for academic research and political programmes. In new chapters, Kuper challenges this most recent version of the myth of primitive society and traces conceptions of the barbarian, savage and primitive back through the centuries to ancient Greece.
Lucidly written and student friendly, this is the must-have text for those interested in anthropological theory and current post-colonial debates."