David Wengrow

The Dawn of Everything

1. IDEA 1

   The usual progress story misleads

   Graeber and Wengrow challenge the common story that humans moved in fixed stages from small equal bands to farming, cities and finally states ruled by kings. Archaeology, they argue, shows a far more varied and experimental past.

2. IDEA 2

   Indigenous critics shaped European thought

   The authors describe Kandiaronk, a Wendat statesman who sharply criticised French society's inequality and lack of freedom. They argue that such Indigenous critiques influenced Enlightenment debates about equality. His views were widely discussed.

3. IDEA 3

   People changed society with the seasons

   Some ancient societies, the authors show, had different social arrangements in different seasons, with strong leaders at one time of year and equality at another. This shows people consciously experimented with how to live.

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