Ancient Society – Lewis Henry Morgan – 1877
Ancient Society by Lewis Henry Morgan
Lewis Henry Morgan’s Ancient Society, first published in 1877, presents a sweeping evolutionary framework for understanding the development of human social structures. The work meticulously examines the progression of social organization from primitive “savagery” through “barbarism” to “civilization,” focusing on kinship systems, property rights, the family, and political institutions. Morgan argues that these institutions are not fixed or natural, but rather evolve in direct relation to technological advancements, particularly in areas such as subsistence and warfare.
Historical / Cultural Context
Morgan’s work arose during a period of intense interest in evolutionary theory, fueled by Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species. However, unlike Darwin’s focus on biological evolution, Morgan applied evolutionary principles to the realm of culture and society. Ancient Society was deeply influenced by anthropological research, particularly observations of Indigenous peoples in North America, and a comparative approach to legal and social systems. It’s important to note the now-outdated terminology and ethnocentric biases inherent in 19th-century anthropological thought – the terms “savagery” and “barbarism” reflect a hierarchical view of cultures that is no longer accepted. Nevertheless, the book represented a groundbreaking attempt to understand the historical development of social structures through a scientific lens. Its influence extended beyond anthropology, impacting fields like sociology, law, and even Marxism; Friedrich Engels notably used Morgan’s work as a foundation for his own analysis of the origins of the state and the family.
Who This Book Is For
Ancient Society is best suited for readers with a strong interest in the history of anthropological thought, the evolution of social institutions, or the relationship between technology and culture. While the detailed comparative analyses can be demanding, the book offers valuable insights into the development of human social life. It’s relevant for students and scholars in anthropology, sociology, history, and legal studies. General readers interested in the long-term development of social norms and structures will also find it thought-provoking, but should approach it with an awareness of its historical context and inherent biases.
Further Reading
- Émile Durkheim, The Division of Labor in Society (1893): Another foundational work in sociology, examining the social implications of increasing specialization in modern society.
- Friedrich Engels, The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State (1884): Engels’s Marxist interpretation of social evolution, heavily influenced by Morgan’s Ancient Society.
- Claude Lévi-Strauss, Structural Anthropology (1958): A later anthropological work that, while differing in methodology, continues the project of uncovering underlying structures in social organization.
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