This groundbreaking seven-volume series provides an authoritative guide to the history and development of the different cultures of the world from the origins of humankind to the present day. Edited by a team of internationally-recognized scholars, each volume includes a general introduction, thematic chapters exploring the period from a global viewpoint, and a series of regional chapters discussing the issues pertinent to specific cultures and areas of the world. Detailed critical bibliographies and an exhaustive index enable the reader to access information from many different points of reference.