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Secondary States in Perspective: An Integrated Approach to State Formation in the Prehistoric Aegean
Author(s) -
PARKINSON WILLIAM A.,
GALATY MICHAEL L.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
american anthropologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1548-1433
pISSN - 0002-7294
DOI - 10.1525/aa.2007.109.1.113
Subject(s) - prehistory , bronze age , state formation , perspective (graphical) , state (computer science) , dual (grammatical number) , history , archaeology , economic geography , ancient history , geography , political science , linguistics , art , computer science , philosophy , visual arts , law , politics , algorithm
In this article, we explore the typological distinction between primary and secondary states. We outline a methodology for exploring variability in the formation and organization of secondary states that integrates aspects of traditional neoevolutionary approaches, Marcus's “dynamic model,” Blanton et al.'s “dual‐processual model,” and world‐systems theory. We discuss the development of the Minoan and Mycenaean states of the Bronze Age Aegean and argue that they arose via different mechanisms of secondary state formation, through direct and indirect contact with neighboring societies in the Eastern Mediterranean, Near East, and Egypt. We argue that a model that measures state formation along several different theoretical dimensions encourages archaeological exploration of secondary states along varied historical trajectories, in different (pre)historic contexts.