Being Ritual in Mesolithic Britain and Ireland: Identifying Ritual Behaviour Within an Ephemeral Material Record

Acceptance of ritual as a valid interpretation of Mesolithic behaviour has slowly emerged over the past decade; the ‘silly season’ heralded by Mellars (Antiquity 83:502–517, 2009) has not materialised, though in Ireland and Britain difficulties persist in defining what might constitute ‘ritual’ away from the graveside. New discoveries from both the development-led and academic sectors enable Mesolithic archaeologists to better establish which elements of the archaeological record can be interpreted as ritual. This paper seeks to identify further strands of ritual behaviour, incorporating evidence from sites without organic remains. We consider the evidence for ritual at the site and feature scales, and in the special treatment of objects—an often overlooked body of data in understanding ritual. Thus the material signature of ritual will be questioned, and ways in which Mesolithic ritual can be rehabilitated and expanded will be explored.     

REVIEW

Alternative Strategies for Papua New Guinea. Edited by Anthony Clunies Ross and John Langmore. Melbourne, Oxford University Press, 1973. Pp. viii + 263. Price (papercovers) $5.70.     

REVIEWS

The Introduction of Provincial Government in Papua New Guinea: Lessons from Bougainville. By Diana Conyers. Discussion Paper No. 1. Boroko (Papua New Guinea), New Guinea Research Unit. April, 1975. Pp. 54 + iv. Price: 1 Kina, ($A1).     

URBAN RIOTS AND THE GROWTH OF STATE WELFARE EXPENDITURES

This article examines the relationship between urban riots and increases in state welfare spending in the 1960s. It finds little evidence of a direct relationship between rioting and state welfare spending increases from own funds; but it does provide evidence that state welfare spending increases from federal funds were related to the level of urban rioting. Possible explanations for this pattern of findings are discussed and directions for further research are suggested.     

The Truro Halfway House,Cape Cod,Massachusetts

Historical Archaeology -     

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, THE CHALLENGE

Sustainable development presents a major challenge to geography to demonstrate its capability and relevance to what may be the most important public issue of our time. The human/biosphere relationship is at the core of growing global problems, and geography has comparative advantage in spearheading attempts to make this relationship more sustainable. This paper identifies the components of the challenge, presents a structure which could guide research and implementation efforts, and identifies key opportunities and challenges for geographers through their theoretical and applied work. From definition to integration to implementation, geographers can make a real difference.
Le développement durable est une grande preoccupation de notre temps. C'est au géographe que revient le défi de démontrer que la géographie est une discipline pertinente pour répondre à cette préoccupation. En intégrant les deux éléments de la relation entre l'humanité et la biosphère, qui est souvent au ceur des problèmes de croissance globale, la geographie possède un avantage sur d'autres disciplines pour assurer que cette relation ait un meilleur support. Cet essai présente les composantes de ce défi, le cheminement pour guider la recherche et la mise en œuvre, et identifie les principales opportunités que la géographie appliquée et theorique offre aux géographes. De la définition à l'intCgration et à la mise en oeuvre, la géographe peut apporter beaucoup.