BOOK REVIEWS(The Archaeology and Politics of Food and Feasting in Early States and Empires)

This book is a compendium of ten contributions, corresponding to ten chapters. It is subdivided into two parts, the first dealing with the Old World (i.e. Egypt, Sumer and China), and the second with the New World (i.e. Peru and Meso-America). Using primarily but not exclusively archaeological data, this collection of articles explores the relationships between state apparatuses, feasts, and power and gender relationships. It constitutes a welcome attempt to move archaeological analysis of ceramics from a strict category-patterns-production sites listing to a more functional approach, centered on the symbolic and political use of food production and consumption.