Richard Rudgley was born in 1961. He completed a BA in Social Anthropology and Religious Studies and went on to do a M. St. and M. Phil. in Ethnology and Museum Ethnography at Oxford. He is currently doing a D. Phil. and specialising in historical and contemporary uses of psychoactive substances by the native peoples of Canada and Alaska. He has done much field work in China and Canada, and written and lectured on the usage of hallucinogens and intoxicants. He is married and lives in London.
Were our prehistoric ancestors totally uncivilized? Rudgley blows apart the modern theories of invasions from outer space and Atlantis, and by careful analysis suggests that the roots of the great civilizations, such as the Egyptians, were firmly bedded in their prehistoric forerunners. Writing systems may be traced back into the early stone age; speech across the continents may have common roots. Evidence of Oriental rug making, accountancy, even a dentist's drill, show civilization in supposedly uncivilized peoples. An academic account - but a fascinating read nonetheless. (Kirkus UK)