Other by Hannah Sas-Skowronski
Robert L. Carneiro (1981) has forwarded and defended (e.g., 2003, 2010a, 2010b) the thesis that c... more Robert L. Carneiro (1981) has forwarded and defended (e.g., 2003, 2010a, 2010b) the thesis that chiefdom is the necessary precursor of the state, and has published an influential evolutionary theory (1970) accounting for the rise of chiefdoms and states, with warfare as a prime mover.
The study of chiefdoms and states is a complex and constantly changing discipline, in which archa... more The study of chiefdoms and states is a complex and constantly changing discipline, in which archaeologists are equally adding and retracting notions of what constitutes as a hierarchical or stratified society. Processualists argue that although chiefdoms and states differ radically around the globe, the underlying characteristics are the same (Carneiro 1970). Therefore, middle range theory can be applied to these civilisations in order to recognise key political, economic and social structures (Johnson 2010). However, Post-processualists argue that each chiefdom and state must be analysed independently and within the context of those societies, in order to make adjustments to their specific circumstances and structures (Johnson 2010). Today, there is still no universal mechanism which can be applied to chiefdoms and states, however theorists such as Earle, Carneiro and Peebles and Kus have put forward some main qualities which could potentially identify societies that were ruled by a paramount chief or king. For example the presence of a stratified elite, specialised administration, division of labour, monumental architecture, burials and the spatial patterning and size of settlements (Carneiro 1970). Scholars argue that the presence of monumental architecture and wealth monopolies within the Pacific Islands such as Tonga and Hawaii are clear indicators that they were stratified or hierarchical societies governed by an elite ruler. I will review the nature of theses economic, political and social structures in Tonga and Hawaii and how the presence of monumental architecture reflects a complex society.
To what extent do the theoretical perspectives of 'agency theory' and contemporary evolutionary a... more To what extent do the theoretical perspectives of 'agency theory' and contemporary evolutionary archaeology offer radically different approaches to past social change?
Drafts by Hannah Sas-Skowronski
This research paper aimed to determine which damage types were the most frequent and caused the g... more This research paper aimed to determine which damage types were the most frequent and caused the greatest amount of damage to sites during the Syrian civil war. Furthermore, the author aimed to understand if different types of damage differentially affected sites due to their period or topographical attributes. The author carried out a desk-based survey to assess damage at 202 heritage sites using satellite imagery and second-hand sources. The author has used the frequency-severity model to analyse and categorise site damage; overall there are four scales; high frequency-high severity, low frequency-high severity, high frequency-low severity and midfrequency-mid severity. The author’s research has revealed that there are relationships between damage types, frequency, severity and site period. Overall, the most frequently occurring and most severe damage types affecting cultural heritage sites in Syria are; looting, military collateral damage and militarisation. Furthermore, Classical and Medieval sites as periods were targeted the most during the armed conflict, however, topographically, tells and mounds are the most affected sites. The research has highlighted the importance of using risk management theories to predict and prevent damage by implementing anticipatory and preemptive strategies during peacetime rather than reacting to damage during crisis (OCHA 2014).
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Other by Hannah Sas-Skowronski
Drafts by Hannah Sas-Skowronski