Kharyssa,
At the risk of being self aggrandizing, Rise & Demise: Comparing
World-Systems, Westview 1997, Christopher Chase-Dunn and Thomas D. Hall
[me] is a very good starting point. In addition to being a thorough
overview of application of world-systems analysis to precapitalist
settings, it has an extensive bibliography.
If it generates detailed questions, email me directly. For general
questions, keep them on WSN, most of the players read WSN so you'll get
more answers.
tom
Thomas D. [tom] Hall
thall@depauw.edu
Department of Sociology
DePauw University
100 Center Street
Greencastle, IN 46135
off:765-658-4519
fax:765-658-4799
dpt:765-658-4516
HOME PAGE:
http://www.depauw.edu/~thall/hp1.htm
On Fri, 13 Nov 1998, Kharyssa Rhodes wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>
> I've recently signed onto the list and have been listening to the ongoing
> conversation with great interest. I have just come upon world-systems in my
> studies and have a request.
>
> I am particularly interested in the utility of this paradigm in studying
> ancient empires. Specifically, my topic deals with the interaction between
> the Roman Empire, the Meroitic Kingdom (Sudan) and the Aksumite Kingdom
> (Ethiopia) from 400BCE to 500CE. Both Meroitic and Aksumite kingdoms can be
> conceived of as are far-outlying peripheries -- they supplied the Roman core
> with raw materials from their own territory as well as from interioir
> Africa, but were (extremely) politically independent. However, their
> economies were interdependent to such a point that a loss of trade with the
> Roman Empire led to the Meroitic collapse.
>
> As I am just beginning to understand world-systems theory I am in dire need
> of references. Particularly, I am looking for more information on ancient
> world-empires, a case study or two, and theoretical critiques of the
> application of world-systems in archaeology as well as practical
> on-the-ground methodology. Of course, I've been through CU and internet
> resources and have had only marginal success. Any help is appreciated !
>
> Kharyssa Rhodes
> Graduate Student
> Archaeology Teaching Assistant
> University of Colorado
> Department of Anthropology
> 1380 Lawrence Street #400
> Denver, Colorado 80217
>
>
>
>