Contents: Part I: World history and human origins -- Changing environments, changing societies -- Settled societies: The Emergence of cities -- Part II: Ideas and power:Goddesses, God-Kings and sages -- Religion and state: Buddhissm, christianity, and islam -- Trade, transport, temples and tribute: The Economics of power -- Ties that bind: Lienage, clientage and caste -- Ordering the world: Family and household -- Culture and memory -- Connections.