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Leading Archaeologist to Discuss Our 'Fifth Beginning'

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Posted on February 8, 2017

Alice Jackson

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Dr. Robert L. Kelly, one of the world鈥檚 leading archaeologists, will share his thoughts on how six million years of human history can predict humanity鈥檚 future on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the University of South Alabama.

The 6-7 p.m. presentation in the ballroom of the Student Center will be free and open to the public. Kelly, professor of archaeology at the University of Wyoming, will also sign copies of his latest book, 鈥淭he Fifth Beginning: What Six Million Years of Human History Can Tell Us About Our Future.鈥�

The book, published by University of California Press, identifies four key points in the history of human development: the emergence of technology, culture, agriculture and the state. In each example, Kelly examines the long-term processes that resulted in definitive and final changes for society鈥檚 organization. He then looks ahead to what he calls 鈥渢he fifth beginning,鈥� which began about 1500 AD: a 5,000-year arms race, capitalism鈥檚 global reach and the cultural effects of a worldwide communication network.

Kelly predicts that this latest beginning will include the end of war as a viable way to resolve disputes, the end of capitalism as we know it, the widespread shift toward world citizenship and the rise of forms of cooperation that will end the near-sacred status of nation-states. Still, he is also cautiously optimistic as he dwells on humanity鈥檚 potential rather than the coming chaos.

Kelly received his bachelor鈥檚 degree from Cornell University, his master鈥檚 from the University of New Mexico and his doctorate from the University of Michigan.

He is the author of more than 100 articles, books and reviews as well as past president of the Society for 棉花糖直播n Archaeology and past secretary of the Archaeology Division of the 棉花糖直播n Anthropological Association.

Kelly鈥檚 visit is sponsored by the USA Archaeology Museum, the Anthropology Club and the Student Government Association.

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