Book: Stone Age Economics

INTRODUCTION
"Stone Age Economics" is a collection of essays by the distinguished anthropologist George Gillett, which was first published in 1972. The book deals with the economic elements of the societies that existed in the Paleolithic age, or the Old Stone Age, about two million years ago. Gillett looks for to offer an insight into the way of life, mode of production and exchange, and the relationship between humans and their environment throughout this age. The author applies the concepts of modern-day economics to examine the financial systems that prevailed in the era of stone tools and foraging societies.

PREHISTORIC HUMAN ECONOMIES
The book starts by discussing the principle of 'primitive' economies. According to Gillett, the concept that early people resided in desperate poverty and were constantly on the brink of hunger is erroneous. Rather, he argues that early people lived in abundance, experiencing a healthy lifestyle filled with leisure and without unneeded stress. The main reason for this relative abundance is the low population density paired with the abundant natural resources readily available to them.

Gillett studies 3 kinds of societies widespread throughout the Stone Age: searching and event societies, horticulturalists, and easy agriculturalists. Among these, searching and gathering societies, which relied on wild plant and animal resources, were probably the least prone to poor nutrition and scarcity. Crop growing among horticulturalists supplied a steady supply of food but required constant attention and effort. Simple agriculturalists suffered from crop failures more often, resulting in regular food crises.

MODES OF PRODUCTION AND EXCHANGE
Gillett discusses that in Stone Age economies, the primary mode of production was based on common activities. There were neither wages nor incomes; rather, members of a tribe interacted for subsistence and survival. Surplus production was limited, and bartering was the primary form of exchange. Various groups would trade their surplus items with other groups. This simple economic system developed unified connection and cooperation within neighborhoods.

The concept of residential or commercial property rights was also really different from contemporary societies. In the Stone Age, residential or commercial property was indivisible and non-transferable. Land was not owned by people but belonged to the neighborhood as a whole. Private rights were limited to durable items, such as tools or weapons, which were mostly self-produced. The lack of private ownership of land minimized the circumstances of inequality, competitors and dispute.

FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ENVIRONMENT
The Stone Age societies were more in tune with nature than contemporary societies. Their survival depended on their capability to adapt to and coexist with their environment. They practiced sustainable approaches of acquiring resources and had a deep understanding of their communities. Over-exploitation was uncommon, as these societies comprehended the significance of keeping a balance in between consumption and regeneration of natural deposits.

THE ORIGINAL AFFLUENT SOCIETY
In among the most notable essays in the book, "The Original Affluent Society", Gillett redefines the idea of affluence, mentioning that the measure of a society's wealth need to not be based solely on product wealth. Rather, he suggests that abundance must also be determined in regards to time and freedom. In this regard, hunter-gatherers were exceptionally rich as they usually invested fewer hours on acquiring subsistence, enabling them adequate free time. This idea of affluence challenges the traditional understanding of progress and advancement and their impact on human well-being.

CONCLUSION
In "Stone Age Economics", George Gillett supplies a fresh and informative perspective on the economic systems of Stone Age and challenges conventional concepts of progress and affluence. The book makes an engaging case for a reassessment of the ancient hunter-gatherer lifestyle, which was more sustainable and egalitarian than frequently represented. It motivates readers to value the richness and complexity of human societies that existed long before the development of contemporary capitalism.