Thirteen leading archaeologists have contributed to this innovative study of the socio-political processes - notably imitation, competition, warfare, and the exchange of material goods and information - that can be observed within early complex societies, particularly those just emerging into statehood.

Preface; 1. Introduction: peer polity interaction and socio-political change Colin Renfrew; 2. Polities and palaces: some problems in Minoan state formation John F. Cherry; 3. Interaction by design: the Greek city state Anthony Snodgrass; 4. Peer polity interaction in the European Iron Age Timothy and Sara Champion; 5. Peer polity interaction and socio-political change in Anglo-Saxon England Richard Hodges; 6. Jiehao, tonghao: peer relations in East Asia Gina L. Barnes; 7. Maya warfare: an example of peer polity interaction David A. Freidel; 8. Interaction among Classic Maya policies: a preliminary examination Jeremy A. Sabloff; 9. Midwestern Hopewellian exchange and supralocal interaction David P. Braun; 10. The nature and development of long-distance relations in Later Neolithic Britain and Ireland Richard Bradley and Robert Chapman; 11. Interaction and change in third millennium BC western and central Europe Stephen Shennan; 12. Epilogue and prospect John F. Cherry and Colin Renfrew; Bibliography; Index.