Nombre canónico: Adovasio, J. M.
Otros nombres: Adovasio, James M.
Fecha de nacimiento: 1944-02-17
Género: male
Nacionalidad: USA
Lugar de nacimiento: Youngstown, Ohio, USA
Lugares de residencia: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Tucson, Arizona, USA
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Erie, Pennsylvania, USA
Educación: University of Arizona (BA)
University of Utah (PhD)
Ocupaciones: archaeologist
Organizaciones: University of Pittsburgh
Mercyhurst University
Premios y honores: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Phi Beta Kappa
Sigma Xi
Biografía breve: James M. Adovasio (1944- ) is an American archaeologist and one of the foremost experts in perishable artifacts (such as basketry and textiles). He was formerly the Provost, Dean of the Zurn School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Director of the Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. Adovasio is best known for his work at Meadowcroft Rockshelter in Pennsylvania and for his subsequent role in the "Clovis First" debate. He has published nearly 400 books, monographs, articles, and papers in his field.

(source: Wikipedia)

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The Invisible Sex: Uncovering the True Roles of… por J. M. Adovasio

There have been many changes in paleo-anthropology in the past years. New sites and new methods of examining old sites and artifacts have yielded a changed perspective on human development and the role of female hominids. Man the mighty hunter has been displaced by humans the opportunistic scavengers and gatherers. It is unlike, the authors assert, that early humans killed herds of healthy bison, mammoths or tackled cave bears. Stone blades that were believed by earlier scientists to have killed such prey are more likely to have been used to cut meat off the bones of already dead animals. The role of the textile arts: rope and string, basketry, weaving, net-making, mostly in the hands of women, is also explored. Very interesting. However, the authors caution readers to abandon any ides of universal matriarchy or even of universal patriarchy, noting that the construction of gender roles is far more complex.… (más)

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ritaer | 3 reseñas más. | May 3, 2017 |

The Invisible Sex: Uncovering the True Roles of… por J. M. Adovasio

This book attempts to correct mistaken ideas about prehistoric humans, especially concerning the role of women. In so doing, it's necessary also to correct ideas about the role of men. Overall, it's well written, easy to read, and flows nicely through the narrative. There are a few places where I suspected certain things were added to make the book long enough, particularly the point where the authors include the stories from the Seven Daughters of Eve. These could have been summarized in much less space, but then the book might have been too short for consideration by a publisher, I suppose. There are a couple of other spots that are similarly unnecessary. In addition, there are a couple of occasions where the authors draw some rather complex and definitive conclusions from evidence that doesn't appear adequate to support that conclusion; this is ironic, since that's what they are basically accusing other writers of doing. I also felt some of the attempts to fit findings into their conclusion of egalitarian societies where women weren't necessarily oppressed were a bit labored, given the evidence they had to work with. I felt like they were twisting definitions past the breaking point in some of these cases. It's also a bit annoying whenever the ubiquitous "noble savage" comes shining through, because at some point, the noble savage myth actually ignores the true humanity of the individuals it's trying to build up. Overall, however, it's a good read and I'd recommend it for anyone skeptical enough that they don't automatically believe whoever they last read.… (más)

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Devil_llama | 3 reseñas más. | Jul 30, 2012 |

The First Americans: In Pursuit of Archaeology's… por James Adovasio

So, a while back I read 1491 which dipped into new findings in various aspects of pre-columbian American history. It was very interesting. This was kind of a follow-up. It deals with one of the areas covered in 1491, namely the question of when humans arrived in the Americas. Adovasio is an archaeologist who was responsible for the dig at Meadowcroft, an incredibly important site that provided the first solid evidence that humans inhabited N. America before 'Clovis man', i.e. prior to about 11,000 years ago. This book is his version of American archaeology leading up to this discovery, and how it and other similar digs has changed how we look at American pre-history.

This is Adovasio's personal story, as his and other recent finds generated a lot of controversy and heat from 'Clovis first' nay-sayers who firmly believed that humans could not been here prior to 11,000 years ago, and Adovasio doesn't mince many words in his opinions of them. Not that he should; I think it's clear that a lot of criticism of him and his work was very much undeserved and rooted in dogma rather than good science. And from this point of view it's a successful book. In between his obvious irritation, which is really only present in a couple of chapters, he successfully describes the history of American archaeology over the last two centuries and traces what it is we know, and how we got to knowing it. And he discusses the controversies that have raged over this entire time and how they eventually became resolved, including the one he was personally involved in.

A book for those with an interest in pre-history and in finding out how science is really done.… (más)

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scvlad | otra reseña | Feb 27, 2012 |

The Invisible Sex: Uncovering the True Roles of… por J. M. Adovasio

The authors do write based on the assumption that evolution is correct, which is something I also believe. But it isn’t necessary to believe in evolution to learn from this book. It touches base on things like language skills, becoming bipedal, and even the evolution of the birth canal. The authors are great at putting everything into terms that any lay person can understand.

What I liked most about The Invisible Sex is that while it focuses on women, it doesn’t put down men or their role in the process of “becoming human”. They are not ignored and pushed to the side. Their roles, contributions and skills are acknowledged as well.… (más)

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ruinedbyreading | 3 reseñas más. | May 5, 2009 |

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