Primitive Civilizations

First published in 1894, this pioneering work surveys the development of ownership systems in prehistoric and early historic societies. The author draws on diverse historical and anthropological sources to argue that communal ownership was widespread in early human societies, and was gradually replaced by other systems. Although some of the theories presented in the book have been revised in the years since its publication, it remains an important work in the field of social evolution.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

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