# Before Civilization

Canonical: https://www.bookquiver.com/colin-renfrew/before-civilization/9780712665933

JSON version (same data): https://www.bookquiver.com/colin-renfrew/before-civilization/9780712665933.json

![Before Civilization](https://quivercdn.com/covers/pimlico/colin-renfrew/before-civilization_978-07-1266-593-3-e890ad6c.webp?v=2026-10-17%2002%3A36%3A15)

- Book: [Before Civilization](https://www.bookquiver.com/colin-renfrew/before-civilization) ([Before Civilization.md](https://www.bookquiver.com/colin-renfrew/before-civilization.md))
- Authors: [Colin Renfrew](https://www.bookquiver.com/colin-renfrew)
- Publisher: Pimlico
- ISBN: 978-07-1266-593-3
- Pages: 320
- Published: 1999-09-02
- Language: en_GB
- Binding: Softcover

## Description

The refinement of radiocarbon dating using the information form tree-ring counts has raised serious doubts about the accepted theoretical frameowkr of European prehistory. Monuments in Central and Western Europe have proved to be considerably older than their supposed Near-Eastern forerunners, and the record must be almost completely rewritten in the light of these new dates. Before Civilsation is a preliminary attempt to do this with the help of analogies from more recent and well-documented primitive societies. The more glaring inconsistencies in the old theory are re-examined and Professor Renfrew shows convincingly how the baffling monuments of prehistoric Europe, like Stonehenge, could have been built without recourse to help from the 'more civilized' Near East.