The result of twenty-five years of research with different tribal groups in the Arabian peninsula, this study focuses on ethnographic descriptions of Arab tribal societies in five regions of the peninsula, with comparative material from others. Having become aware of the depth in time of Arab tribal structures, the authors have developed a view of Arabic tribal discourse where 'tribe' is seen as essentially an identity that confers access to a social structure and its processes.

William Lancaster Former Director British Institute at Amman for Archology and History, Senior Associate Member, St. Antony's College, Oxford and Fidelity Lancaster.

Preface, Chapter 1 Aims and Arguments; of Working Chapter 2 The Chapter 5 Land Use; The Practices of Production Systems using Land as a Primary Resource Chapter 6 Buildings and Other Structures Productivity, Distribution and Consumption Chapter 8 Integration into Modernity