Storage in Ancient Complex Societies - Comparative Archaeology

In this review of Storage in Ancient Complex Societies, the book is recommended for archaeologists, graduate students, and scholars interested in economic and political organization in premodern states; its single biggest reason to buy is the comparative approach that links storage practice to administration and control across regions. The volume collects original research that synthesizes evidence from the ancient Near East, Mesoamerica, and the Andes, making it particularly useful for readers who need cross-cultural perspectives on how storage shaped social and administrative change.

Key Features

• Comparative scope: Brings together 14 original papers that allow readers to compare storage systems across three major regions and trace common administrative patterns.
• Regional coverage: Includes focused case studies from the ancient Near East, Mesoamerica, and the Andes, so readers can see how different environments and traditions influenced storage strategies.
• Administrative focus: Emphasizes the relationship between storage and the development of control mechanisms, helping scholars link material practice to political organization.
• Interdisciplinary authorship: Essays by leading archaeologists provide methodological and theoretical variety that supports broader interpretations of storage evidence.
• First-volume perspective: Serves as an initial comparative treatment of storage in complex societies, useful as a starting point for future research and classroom discussion.

Who It's For

The book is for students and researchers in archaeology and anthropology who need a focused, comparative treatment of how accumulation and storage intersect with administration and control in ancient complex societies. It is well suited to advanced seminars on political economy, craft production, or state formation where cross-regional contrasts strengthen argumentation.

Readers seeking a general survey for casual reading or a handbook of practical field methods may want a more introductory text; this volume assumes familiarity with archaeological concepts and benefits those looking for comparative synthesis rather than step-by-step excavation guidance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a broad comparative framework linking storage strategies to political and economic organization across multiple continents.
• Collects original contributions from established archaeologists, offering varied case studies and methodological approaches.
• Highlights the administrative and non-administrative (including kinship-based) dimensions of storage, expanding typical narratives of control.

Cons

• The specialized, academic focus makes the volume less accessible to casual readers or those new to archaeological theory.

Specifications

Title	Storage in Ancient Complex Societies: Administration, Organization, and Control
Editors / Authors	Linda R. Manzanilla, Mitchell Rothman
Scope	Comparative studies across the ancient Near East, Mesoamerica, and Andes
Content	14 original papers by leading archaeologists
Focus	Storage practices, administration, organization, and control
Intended audience	Scholars, graduate students, and researchers in archaeology and anthropology

Our Verdict

Storage in Ancient Complex Societies is a strong comparative collection that clarifies how large-scale accumulation and storage relate to administrative and political developments; scholars and advanced students will find it good value for its original essays and cross-regional synthesis, while general readers may find the material narrowly academic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover multiple world regions?
Yes. The volume explicitly compares storage systems in the ancient Near East, Mesoamerica, and the Andes.

Is this suitable for undergraduate introductory courses?
The book is more appropriate for upper-level or graduate seminars because it assumes familiarity with archaeological theory and methods.

Are the chapters original research?
Yes. The volume contains 14 original papers by established archaeologists focused on storage and administration.