The book "Antique Works of Art from Benin" by Augustus Henry Lane-Fox Pitt-Rivers delves into the rich cultural heritage and artistic achievements of the Benin Kingdom. It showcases a variety of artifacts, including bronze plaques, ivory carvings, and ceremonial objects that reflect the sophistication of Benin's artistry. Pitt-Rivers, a prominent archaeologist and collector, provides detailed descriptions and analyses of these works, emphasizing their historical significance and the crafts...

"On the Development and Distribution of Primitive Locks and Keys" by Augustus Henry Lane-Fox Pitt-Rivers is a comprehensive exploration of the history and evolution of locking mechanisms and their keys. The book delves into the various forms of locks used by different cultures throughout history, examining their construction, materials, and the technological advancements that influenced their design. Pitt-Rivers, a noted archaeologist, combines his expertise in anthropology and archaeology...

Benin is situated on the Guinea Coast, near the mouth of the Niger, in latitude 6·12 north, and longitude 5 to 6 east. It was discovered by the Portuguese at the end of the fourteenth or commencement of the fifteenth centuries. The Portuguese were followed by the Dutch and Swedes, and in 1553 the first English expedition arrived on the coast, and established a trade with the king, who received them willingly. Benin at that time appears by a Dutch narrative to have been quite a large city, ...

"Conscience & Fanaticism: An Essay on Moral Values" by George Henry Lane Fox Pitt-Rivers delves into the intricate relationship between moral values and human behavior. The author explores how conscience shapes individual actions and societal norms, emphasizing the importance of moral reasoning in guiding ethical decisions. Pitt-Rivers presents a compelling argument that while conscience can lead to virtuous actions, it can also be manipulated by fanaticism, resulting in extreme behaviors ...

These Essays, or rather Lectures, contain the first-fruits of the earliest systematic attempt to apply the theory of Evolution to the products of human handiwork. In their original form they have long been difficult to obtain; and they are reprinted now to supply the needs of candidates for the Oxford Diploma in Anthropology, and of the numerous visitors to the Pitt-Rivers Museum in Oxford. But they will certainly appeal to a far wider public also, as a brief and authentic statement of the...

It was about the middle of last century that an officer in Her Majesty’s Army began to apply the lessons which he had learnt in the course of some of his professional experimental work to studies pursued by him as a hobby in a far wider field of science. The story of the famous ethnographical collection of Colonel Lane Fox is well known, and I need but briefly refer to it. During his investigations, conducted with a view to ascertaining the best methods whereby the service firearms might b...

These Essays, or rather Lectures, contain the first-fruits of the earliest systematic attempt to apply the theory of Evolution to the products of human handiwork. In their original form they have long been difficult to obtain; and they are reprinted now to supply the needs of candidates for the Oxford Diploma in Anthropology, and of the numerous visitors to the Pitt-Rivers Museum in Oxford. But they will certainly appeal to a far wider public also, as a brief and authentic statement of the...

On the Development and Distribution of Primitive Locks and Keys is a comprehensive and scholarly exploration of the origins, evolution, and geographical spread of early locking mechanisms. Authored by Lieut.-Col. Augustus Henry Lane-Fox Pitt-Rivers, a pioneering figure in archaeology and anthropology, the book delves into the fascinating history of locks and keys from their most rudimentary forms to more sophisticated designs. Drawing on a wealth of archaeological evidence, ethnographic ob...

The Evolution Of Culture And Other Essays by Augustus Henry Lane-Fox Pitt-Rivers--The Project Gutenberg eBook.

This edition features illustrations.Extract...The subject of this paper was the discovery, mostly in the king’s compound and the Juju houses, of numerous works of art in brass, bronze, and ivory...

Applying his controversial theory of evolution to the origins of the human species, Charles Darwin's The Descent of Man was the culmination of his life's work.In The Origin of Species, Charles Darwin refused to discuss human evolution, believing the subject too 'surrounded with prejudices'. He had been reworking his notes since the 1830s, but only with trepidation did he finally publish The Descent of Man in 1871. The book notoriously put...

During the successive reprints of the first edition of this work, published in 1871, I was able to introduce several important corrections; and now that more time has elapsed, I have endeavoured to profit by the fiery ordeal through which the book has passed, and have taken advantage of all the criticisms which seem to me sound. I am also greatly indebted to a large number of correspondents for the communication of a surprising number of new facts and remarks. These have been so numerous, ...