Abstract (from back cover):  This book observes a remarkable spatial correspondence of zones of active tectonism with the most complex cultures of antiquity, and continues to explore the meaning of this relationship from a number of independent angles.  Due to resulting site damage, the distribution is counter-intuitive.  Nevertheless, systematic differences between “tectonic” and “quiescent” cultures show that tectonic activity corresponded in antiquity with more cultural dynamism.  Data of several types support direct cultural influence of tectonism, including vignettes of the impact of tectonism is specific ancient cultures.  An expectation of change seems to be a feature that such tectonic cultures shared and that led to built-in resilience and resultant acceleration of development.  These dynamics continue, though much obscured, in the present day.