Book Description

In its first edition, The Holocene provided undergraduates with a much-needed coherent scientific account of the great transformation of nature that had taken place during the Holocene, the last 10,000 years in the history of the planet and the period in which we are all now living.This period has included major shifts in climate and human culture, and in the natural environment at every level.Completely revised and updated to take full account of the most recent advances, the new edition of this established text includes substantial material on scientific progress in the understanding of climate change and abrupt climatic events, of disturbance effects on the landscape, and of ice core records.Not only have improved dating methods, such as luminescence, been included but also the timescale for the book has been moved to calendar (i.e. real) years.Coverage and supporting case study material have also been broadened and extended. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Very Interesting
I am by no means an expert on climatology or paleoclimatology.An actuary by trade, I enjoy reading books about evolution and prehistory.When I saw this book, I figured it would be good for a type of background reading to help me more fully understand what went on during the Holocene and how it affected humans.

While it did not really make that connection, I did find it pretty interesting.He explains the different techniques of dating and why you would use them.It is facinating that the experts can determine so much information about the local environment over, say, a meter long core sample from the bottom of a lake.It didn't get too technical until the last chapter where he was discussing the impact of pollution on the environment.

The last chapter sums up nicely the major developments of the last 11,000 years and also discusses why viewing nature as a static entity is not the proper way for conservationalists to look at it.All and all a good read for those interested in weather and the transformation of the earth.

Lucid, clear, a textbook for all audiences
Most advances in human understanding currently come from a conjunction of specialisms: archaeology uses nuclear physics. This textbook is built on clear accounts of the joints between geology and palaeontology,humananthropology and global climate change - and much more. But it is more thanthat. Roberts has crafted a textbook to be used by any entrant to thefield. Heis lucid. He offers logical cause and effect yet is clearabout contradiction.Anyone interested in the era will enjoythecontributions from many disciplinesintegrated in an enthusiasticwhole.If you are interested, go for it.

Superb basic introduction to paleo- and human ecology
As an undergraduate student at prescott College, I conducted an independent study in QuaternaryEcology in general and of the American Southwest in particular. I came across this book while browsing the shelvesat another college library. I was looking for a few texts to give me a goodbasic background on paleoecology, and after scanning this one, requestedthat our school library purchase it. When it arrived, I was informed, and Iimmediately appropriated it for my exclusive use. This book, together withDelcourt's and Delcourt's book, Quaternary Ecology: a paleoecologicalperspective would make a good text for a college environmental studiescourse. That is how I used it. Now I want to own a copy. ... Read more

Book Description

Taking a jargon-free approach, this guidebook introduces the basic principles of statistics to archaeologists. The author covers the necessary techniques foranalyzing data collected in the field and laboratory as well as forevaluating the significance of the relationships between variables.In addition, chapters discuss the special concerns of working withsamples. This well-illustrated guide features several practiceproblems making it an ideal text for students in archaeology andanthropology. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

math in plain english
Very easy to understand, written in plain english, this little book is a must for archaeologists and archaeology students. It sets up basic statistical principles of common use in archaeology in a way that anybody can understand. Its even got practice exercises at the end of every chapter. Worth the money! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

I AM the Sucked Out Orange!
I heard David Roberts tell parts of this story for several years before I read the book. We flew over Mokee Canyon after his decent, loaded llama panniers before his hike into Grand Gulch, poured over maps in our lobby. He has stirred up quite a discussion here in Southeast Utah over the "peaceful" Anasazi, the lack of management by the BLM and even the backcountry museum. I respect his research and loved his descriptions since I live here. Stop by and lets hash it out when you are in Bluff, Utah. Jim at Recapture Lodge.

A very good overview of the world of the Anasazi
I picked this book up in preparation for a recent trip to the Four corners region, and found it to be a highly readable account of one man's search for answers as to what did happen to the Anasazi. While Roberts raises more questions than he answers, this is still an entertaining way to learn more about the area and I would recommend it for anyone who has an interest in the cliff dwellings and general aura of the area.

Worthwhile
Wish we'd read this before visiting Anasazi sights, so we'd have known what we were looking at. We bought our copy at the Hopi Museum on the 2nd Mesa after visiting the allowed part of the 1st Mesa during the Time of the Feathers. Really a well-written and captivating book.

Finding the Old Ones
In Search of the Old Ones is one of the best books I have ever read about the Anasazi in the Southwest. David Roberts does a wonderful job and made me want to go to the deserts of Utah and Arizona and track them down myself. I have read many books about this area and I have backpacked several of the canyons he describes. This book can be used as a guide if you decide to search for the 'Old Ones' yourself. I'm waiting for the sequel.

Great Introduction to the Anasazi
This is the first book I've read specifically about the Anasazi, and I really enjoyed it. Roberts takes us along on his personal search for answers to the mysteries of the Anasazi through his interviews of leading experts, his camping and hiking expeditions throughout the region, conversations with living Native American Hopi and Navajos, and his research of the modern day archeological history which started with an amateur rancher in the 1880's.

I found this a fabulous read. It's told in an entertaining way, as though we're along for the ride with Roberts as he follows his own curiosity into the world of the Anasazi.

I was impressed with how he presented the mysteries surrounding the Anasazi. He raises many questions which baffle current archeologists, and leaves the final conclusions up to the reader.

Roberts also does a good job of bring up different sides of issues such as how much to allow the public into delicate significant sites - what is the proper role of government agencies to balance preservation with access to the public? Also through his informal interviews he exposes the balance between the archeological practice of digging up bones and pots from ancient sites versus leaving them in their natural state as more of a natural museum.

Roberts is a contributing writer for Outside Magazine, has an inherent interest in the Anasazi, and spent years hiking and camping throughout the Four Corners region where the Anasazi lived until about 700 years ago.

I had a good time taking this trip with the author through the past and am now encouraged to learn more about the Ancient Ones who inhabited our West for so long before we arrived. ... Read more

Book Description

The breaking of the Maya code has completely changed our knowledge of this ancient civilization, and has revealed the Maya people's long and vivid history. Decipherment of Maya hieroglyphic writing has progressed to the point where most Maya written texts—whether inscribed on monuments, written in the codices, or painted or incised on ceramics—can now be read with confidence.

In this practical guide, first published in 2001, Michael D. Coe, the noted Mayanist, and Mark Van Stone, an accomplished calligrapher, have made the difficult, often mysterious script accessible to the nonspecialist. They decipher real Maya texts, and the transcriptions include a picture of the glyph, the pronunciation, the Maya words in Roman type, and the translation into English. For the second edition, the authors have taken the latest research and breakthroughs into account, adding glyphs, updating captions, and reinterpreting or expanding upon earlier decipherments.

After an introductory discussion of Maya culture and history and the nature of the Maya script, the authors introduce the glyphs in a series of chapters that elaborate on topics such as the intricate calendar, warfare, royal lives and rituals, politics, dynastic names, ceramics, relationships, and the supernatural world. The book includes illustrations of historic texts, a syllabary, a lexicon, and translation exercises. Illustrated in two colors throughout. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Beautiful and Accessible
Not only is this book beautifully printed with exquisite glyphs printed in red ink, it is also coherent and accessible to everyone interested in Maya hieroglyphs. It takes almost no time to read and fully understand, and is a perfect introduction and reference tool. A must have for any Maya enthusiast.

atlanteans
Great tool for opening the field for Mayan Hieroglyphs.But not enough to master fully.

Sweet Action!...
Holy Crap![.] This book is totally sweet![.]I may not be an expert in Mayan junk but I was keenly interested in this subject and this book delivered. In addition I had to write this paper about Classic Mayan Grammar in this class I was taking and this book saved my bacon. Thanks Michael D. Coe, I love you man...

The Best Book for Novice Epigraphers
I recently took a Maya Glyph class and was getting destroyed trying to follow the teacher. I had absolutely no idea what was going on. When I got this book things started to make sense. (Unfortunately, I bought it too late in the semester to help my grade any.)Coe presents glyphs and the accompanying grammar in a concise clear manner that even those with no prior experience in any related subject can understand. The Maya Lexicon is also a helpful tool for tyros like me who are just beginning to study this fascinating writing system. While it is true that these examples are stylized and not from actually monuments, for the beginner this is much easier to follow. In addition, the accompanying text is well written and an enjoyable read. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Almost Perfect
This was the firs book I have read on the subject and even though I was already familiar with some aspects of the Viking life it was very interesting and informative. The book deals with every thing in great detail, from the houses in which the Vikings lived in to the shoes the wore. Unfortunately the chapter about warfare was a little short and, in my opinion lacked many details and wasn't as comprehensive as I hoped it would be. Also, I think a few battle descriptions would have been nice.

Overall, a great book and a wonderful introduction to a fascinating culture ! 4 out of 5

Very Good Resource
A very informative book, it covers nearly all aspects of Viking life, from government, literature, and warfare, through sculpture, gender roles, and burial practices. The book seems written for people who already have a working understanding of Viking life, as it makes a few assumptions about the knowledge you already have, but even if this is your first introduction to the Vikings you should be able to follow along with few problems.

Very complete and very detailed...
324 pages on the Viking Age, dealing with weapons, ships, Kings, kingdoms, sexual roles, slaves, weapons, language, runes, jewellery, archaeological finds, art, religions, trade and the settlements. The book starts on the history in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, but also expands into Scotland, England, Ireland, Greenland, Russia and beyond. If you liked the movie 'The 13th Warrior' or liked 'Eaters of the Dead' you will love this book.
BEWARE, most ideas you may of had about Vikings are WRONG! WRONG!

Scholarly book for non-scholars.
I am not a scholar. I do love to learn about other cultures, however, and am fascinated by Norse and Viking life. Else Roesdahl gives everybody the chance to learn the truth about the Vikings. This is an excellent book for home study!

At last: a comprehensive history of the Vikings!
Roesdahl's work has allowed me to see the Vikings as much more than a band of maruading pirates. -Much more than actors who appear in the annals of history to relieve the monotonoy of un-inspired court tomage, the task of reconstructing Viking culture is related in a rich and fascinating adventure. This Roesdahl translation relates how the Vikings, far from being merely a sea-fairing chapter of the "Hells Angels", actually had many customs, artifacts, and lands that can be equated into the european calendar using dendrochronology. With so many "viking values" being adopted by modern man, this work is invaluiable to understand where our world is going, as well as where it has been. I just wish that I could put a copy of it on my web-site! ... Read more

Book Description

The environmental impact of industry is often profound and far-reaching, and has long been present in the cultural landscape, but research into the nature and relative importance of industrial activity has been somewhat neglected by environmental archaeologists. This volume presents eighteen papers deriving from a conference of the Association for Environmental Archaeology; they aim to bridge the gap between environmental and industrial archaeology. The papers address several major issues including: the effects of mining and smelting on sedimentation and vegetation in river catchments, the environmental impact of industries which are based on high-temperature processes and require reliable sources of fuel, such as metallurgy, pottery, glass and lime-making; the environmental impact of industrial processes based on biological raw materials, such as horn, bone, hides and shell; and the effects of industry on human health. ... Read more

Book Description

This handy reference provides comprehensive access to over three millennia of ancient Greek history and archaeology, from the beginning of the Minoan civilization to the fall of the Greek states to the Romans by 30 BC.Clear, authoritative, and highly organized, the Handbook to Life in Ancient Greece provides an engaging look at a civilization that once stretched from what is now modern Greece, to Spain, India, and beyond; a civilization that has had an enormous and lasting influence on the development of myriad aspects of Western culture, from philosophy and medicine to democracy and town planning.

The thematically arranged chapters cover an exhaustive range of topics: armies and weapons, rulers from Alexander the Great to Xerxes, the rise and fall of numerous city-states, notably Sparta and Athens, agriculture, architectural styles, craft industries, religious festivals, deities, travel and transport, mythological figures, even Greek concepts of the afterlife. The guide includes a wide-ranging bibliography for each chapter, as well as over 180 maps, photographs, and line drawings.

Combining both archaeological and historical evidence, the Handbook to Life in Ancient Greece is essential reading for anyone interested in Greek history, the classics, or an overview of the Greek period. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good overall reference book
The purpose of this book is to provide the reader with a overview (and comprehensive at that) of the Greeks up to the ascension ofAugustus in Rome. In this the book suceeds. The information included is well rounded despite its relative briefness and has been validated by recent scholarship. Topics range from city planning to civic calenders. Biographies of famous (and not so famous) people are also included in each section. Included are drawings and plans of architecture as well as maps and photos of ruins.

Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware)
In his Preface to 'The Genius of Alexander the Great,' 1997, NGL Hammond states:

'The narratives which survive were written between three and five centuries after Alexander's career, and their portrayals of Alexander vary widely not only in what might be regarded as matters of fact but also in interpretations of Alexander's personality. The latter range from intellectual brilliance and statesmanlike vision to unbridled lust for conquest and drunken debauchery. The temptation for modern writers is to pick and choose from these narratives what suits his own conception of Alexander's personality...' Lesley and Roy Adkins have taken it upon themselves to judge Alexander a murderer and self-appointed god.

Hammond also says, 'In 1980 when I published a book on Alexander I wrote that my aim was "to state most of the evidence and bring the reader into the task of evaluation." Thus, to take as an example the Battle of the Granicus, I reported the incompatible versions of the ancient writers (Diodorus, Plutarch and Arrian in particular), added some topographical details, and put forward my reconstruction, which rested on my own evaluation of the worth of the rival accounts. The reader was thereby equipped to make his own assessment of what actually happened, and he was enabled to carry his study further by consulting the works of other scholars to which reference was provided. Thus it was a work designed to provoke inquiry into and estimation of Alexander's achievements.'

The 'Handbook' is clearly designed the other way round, to flatly assert 'facts' where the quest is more powerful than ever, now that we have modern technology and scholarship; and worse, the 'Handbook' is designed to be used regularly by students. Worst of all, perhaps, is that such scholars as the Adkins must know what they are doing, as well as their publisher, no doubt!

So they have to contradict themselves in places, as for example in the statistical description of Alexander's army, they have to admit that 'No work of contemporary authors has survived to provide information about the army of Alexander.' This does not stop them from judging Alexander elsewhere as though their opinion were fact.

This is important because it is reported by many historians, including S. Price, for example, in 'Greece and The Hellenistic World' (Oxford University Press, 1986) that Alexander spread democracy. That the cities he founded continued to assert the desirability of democracy against a tyranny or an oligarchy. This democratic impulse can logically be understood as a liberating force that defined the Hellenistic legacy and continues today. It was so controversial and fought over that the sources are charged with the political atmosphere of their day. If you check the 'Handbook' in its index under democracy you will find that the subject is given the once over lightly. This is irresponsible when it comes to our Greek heritage.

One more quote from Hammond's preface (my parentheses). 'To take an example, it may be more attractive to attribute the burning of the palace (of Darius) at Persepolis to an act of drunken vandalism by an Athenian prostitute and an inebriated king (Alexander) than to a deliberate decision of policy.' A policy, I might add, that could well be reflected in the fact that Alexander designated no 'heir' and even the generals who fought over the land after his death delayed quite a while, it seems, before declaring themselves kings (or gods as in Ptolemy's case, who wrote one of the lost source biographies of Alexander).

Not that I agree with Hammond everywhere in his personal evaluations, but he demonstrates the kind of scholarly integrity that puts the likes of this 'Handbook' and other such references these days to shame. So in spite of the detail the Adkins provide, it is so undermined by their assumptions that I can only warn the buyer with a star.

The 'Handbook' presents the Greek legacy as basically royalist and, without giving the other side, debases the Greeks and our common heritage with important assumptions presented as facts.

Not Light Reading
I really hoped to have a book that would convey to me how it was and how it felt to live in Ancient Greece. I guess that all of the necessary information is there, but it is not presented in any cogent way.

Excellent handbook.
This handy reference covers the three millenia of Greek life from the Minoan era to the Roman Conquest of c.30bc. Organized thematically rather than chronologically, subjects are accessible under broad topics such as religion and geography, then under subheadings such as festivals and literature. This logical organization, together with an admirably complete index, makes it easy to use to find wanted information, or serves for pleasant browsing.
With photos and drawings, maps, bibliography, and suggestions for further reading, this is a fine one-volume introduction into the Greek world, echoes of which can be heard in our civilization today.

(The numerical rating above is an ineradicable default setting within the format. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.) ... Read more

Reviews (7)

You can hear the stones crying!
Prof. Price did a great job! For this book he interviewed the leading archaeologist in Israel about "how the spade can shade new light on the bible". The reader starts to a timemachine-travel and will meet King David and Solomon as well as Jesus and the people of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Prof. Price is today the director of the Qumran Plateau Excavations (digs in 2002 and 2004) and he is a well trained archaeologist. He shows the problems of the sensational claims like by Silberman & Finkelstein about the clash between the stories in the bible and the archaeological findings. Prof. Price present a so called "maximalist" position but a very good one rooted in the newest findings. Every reader will be getting exited by the new findings which shed new light on the old book.

Useful Teaching Aid
As a Sunday School teacher, I'm always looking for something to bring the Bible alive for my students. This book, as so capably described by other reviews, is a great resource to supplement and enrich the study experience.

Very Good


This is a review of the VHS video available directly available from Randall Prices' website. Production was not the greatest, but who cares, its the content that counts. Good stuff. Covers a lot of ground fast without any lingering on one subject too long. Great for introducing someone to the trustworthiness of the scriptures. Good on site shots.

Would have been nice to have the Biblical narrative tied in more closely to what they were talking about...

Great little archaeological resource
Archaeology is one of many tools used to help our understanding of the Bible. With this great little resource you will be given access into this realm with a minimum of discomfort and expense. Read about the Rosetta Stone, the Behistun Inscription, Beni-Hasan Mural, Patriarchs, Sodom & Gomorrah, the Exodus, Jericho, King David, the Temple, the Ark, Philistines, Hezekiah, Dead Sea Scrolls and discoveries concerning Jesus. This is an easy read that shouldn't alienate anyone who is looking to bring the world of the Bible up close and personal. -- Moza

A good update on the state of biblical archaeology
This little tome is a good update to Joseph Free's 'Archaeology and Bible History'.

The author does a good job of presenting the finds with the liberal and conservative viewpoint. He is definitely conservative and believes in the inerrancy of Scripture, but is very wise to warn those of us in the field of apologetics not to make rash statements of how 'archaeology proves the Bible' or go too far in stating what the evidence we do have acutally proves.

I finished the book hoping that an update would soon appear, and wishing there was some way to increase funding for the worthwhile endeavor of archaeology. What an exciting job to have!

This book is technical but readable, accurate and realistic, and much too short. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Michael D. Coe's Mexico has long been recognized as the most readable and authoritative introduction to the region's ancient civilizations. This companion to his best-selling The Maya has now been completely revised and expanded for the fifth edition by Professor Coe and Rex Koontz. A new chapter covers the Classic period collapse and its aftermath, including the exploration of newly discovered cities. The history of the northern frontier of ancient Mexico receives a completely new treatment, with revised accounts of shaft tombs, the turquoise trade, and ancient Mexico's relation with the peoples of the Southwest United States. The artistry of the Toltec is revealed through a recently discovered shell and turquoise warrior costume, and what we know of the enigmatic relationship between Toltec Tula and Chichén Itzá is brought up to date. New interpretations of the symbolism of Teotihuacan and information on the great Mexican capital's relationship with the Maya are included, and there is additional material on Aztec village life on the eve of the Conquest. A section on touring Mexico has been added, which will make this book even more valuable as a companion on any visit to the rich archaeological wonders of Mexico. 160 illustrations and photographs, 10 in color. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

We do not call ourselves "Mesoamericans". Nevertheless...
This book makes it clear that the vast majority of the history of "Mexico and Central America" has nothing to do with Europeans or anything "Latin American."

Many readers may be surprised (but really it's just common sense) to learn that we Indigenous people of "Mexican" descent do not call ourselves "Mesoamericans," a term coined by a white Westerner, Paul Kirchoff, as this book makes clear.

Nevertheless, this book is the best general history of "Mexico" (itself another Euro-Iberian/American creation, twice over: 1821 and 1848).

This truly is a "pioneering synthesis" in that it takes the reader along a journey of one of the world's richest and truly original civilizations. Even more impressive when compared to the achievements of Europe: despite a 3 1/2 millenium lag time in agriculture, the peoples of Anahuac nevertheless constructed a monumental and highly sophisticated civilization, rivalling (and often dwarfing) those of Christendom at the same time.

**Compare Western Europe in the Neolithic Age to Mexico in it's own "Neolithic Age": the disparity of achievement is truly embarrassing to anyone holding onto notions of "European cultural superiority." Yikes, what a difference!
Don't take my word on it, read the Spaniards' own first-hand accounts on it!

Considering the lack of metallurgy in the land until after 800 AD, it is truly astonishing to behold the prolific construction of massive temple-pyramids and sophisticated cities across Anahuac.

Our people called the land Anáhuac (accent placed on purpose), meaning "the land between the waters" in the still-pervasive Nahuatl language. Just as there is something historically known as "Christendom" or "Western Civilization"
(oddly enough, both are based upon non-Western achievements in Sumeria and Egypt!),
even more so is there the historical justification for the term "Anahuac Civilization" (built upon the home-grown achievements of Mexico, and not outsiders as in the case of Europe/Christendom).

** This last statement is probably the most important thing that the reader will come away with from Professor Coe's book.

As the reader of both of the recent editions of "Mexico" and "The Maya" will also learn, there was a unitary and common cultural matrix which connected and sustained all the cultures of "Mexico" and "Central America" down to Costa Rica. The divisions were far more political than cultural, just as in "Christendom" or the the modern European world.

(At the time of the Spanish Invasion, Nahuatl was spoken almost everywhere, just as many modern Europeans often speak English in addition to their own languages.)

The so-called "U.S. Southwest" must necessarily be includied in this epic unfolding of civilization, as is made abundantly clear in Coe's 5th edition.

Present-day political borders and archeolgical abstractions of our presnt time get in the way of understanding this dramatic story. Post-European Invasion divisions are not the way to understand this history, just as British imperial definitions do not do justice to the understanding of the Irish people.

(One should understand an apple on an apple's terms, not an orange's!)

I have noticed an interesting trend among "Westerners" to treat the Maya as some New Age plaything along the lines of Fung Sheui and Yoga, projecting their own fanciful wishes upon the people, mutating them into a pseudo-Greek/Hellenistic carbon copy that can easily be played with like a Dream Catcher and a Buddhist wind chime.

These "Fast Food Mayanists" will be disappointed to learn that the Maya historically been "Mexicanized" by the all-pervasive influence of that central Mexican juggernaut: Teotihuacan.
Yes, the Maya did not live in a vaccuum, and their achievements were built on the achievements of the Olmec of southeastern Mexico.
Of course, the Maya deserve their place as the people who made the greatest achievements in our Anahuac Civiization.

And the reader will find that this is truly a story of a common civilization unfolding across the land (branches off the same Olmec tree), unified in religios outlook (with regional modifications just as in Europe), religious systems, architecture, diet, dysnaties, and much more.

(Keep in mind that Copan--the Maya's greatest city-- was founded with a 400-year dysnasty by a central Mexican from Teotihuacan: Yax Kuk Mo.
Also, no Post-Classic Maya dysnasty worth its salt would fail to claim descent from the Toltec of central Mexico.)

Truly, our people of Anahuac are in the equivalent of Europe's Dark Ages (Middle Ages) where we have lost our way, but are now emerging out of the darkness, as anyone with a cursory interest in the current "Indigenous Renaissance" will discover both in Mexico, Central America, and yes, the US Southwest.

My only gripe with the book is Coe's insistence on the "gods" school of thought, when it was clear (he states it himself) that the Aztecs possessed a monotheistic state religion with ONE GOD (yes you read that correctly): Ometeotl....and for the Maya this was called "Hunab-Ku."

Same concept.

For some reason, Westerners are readily able to accept the concept of a multi-facted God (trinity), along with deified Saints, antagonistic demons, Mary the Mother of God, and Satan...and still declare to be "Monotheists!"

The Aztec and Maya "gods" are the innumerable names and faces of one God: physical forces of the Universe, comprised of a Divine Embrace of Material and Spirit. Just as the true student of Hinduism will learn that all the Hindu gods are really manifestations of a unitary God.
If only that point had been stressed a little more in the book...

The reader would also do well to keep in mind that all this rich and impressive civilization is only recently been gleaned from what are it's "leftovers": 95% of the astronomical almanacs and encyclopedias were burned by the Spaniards, by their own admission.

What other wonders went up in those flames?!

This is a fascinating history that reads like a real-life detective story. Buy the book! ... Read more

Book Description

The European Bronze Age, roughly 2500 to 750 BC, was the last fully prehistoric period and crucial to the formation of the Europe emerging in the later first millennium BC. This book provides a detailed account of its material culture, comparing and contrasting evidence from different geographical zones, and drawing out the essential characteristics of the period. It looks at settlement, burial, economy, technology, trade and transport, warfare, and social and religious life. The result is a comprehensive study that will interest specialists and students, and be accessible to nonspecialists. ... Read more

Book Description

Readers will benefit from practical advice on how to better serve the client in person, launch a fund-raising campaign, work with the media, market programs, organize programs around historical events, train and successfully use volunteers, and avoid the most common public relations errors by planning. ... Read more

Book Description

The American Southwest is home to some of the most remarkable monuments of America's prehistoric past, such as Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde. Visitors marvel at the impressive ruined pueblos and spectacular cliff dwellings but often have little idea of the cultures that produced these prehistoric wonders. Stephen Plog, who has spent decades working in the region, provides the most readable and up-to-date account of the predecessors of the modern Hopi and Pueblo Indian cultures in this well-received account. Ten thousand years ago, humans first colonized this seemingly inhospitable landscape with its scorching hot deserts and freezing upland areas. The initial hunter-gatherer bands gradually adapted to become sedentary village groups, and the high point of Southwestern civilization was reached with the emergence of cultures known to archaeologists as Anasazi, Hohokam, and Mogollon in the first millennium A.D. Chaco Canyon became the center of a thriving Anasazi cultural tradition. It was the hub of a trading network extending over hundreds of miles, whose arteries were a series of extraordinary roads that are still being discovered and mapped. To the south lay the settlement of Snaketown, focus of the Hohokam, where the inhabitants built courts for a ritual ball game--intriguing echoes of ancient Mexican practices. The Mogollon people of the Mimbres Valley created some of the world's finest ceramics, decorated with human figures and mythical creatures. Interweaving the latest archaeological evidence with early first-person accounts, Professor Plog explains the rise and mysterious fall of Southwestern cultures. As he concludes, despite the depredations and diseases introduced by the Europeans, the Southwest is still home to vibrant Native American communities that carry on many of the old traditions. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good survey of the American SW
I enjoyed this volume because I lived briefly in Arizona and saw some of the ruins (Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monument) mentioned.I had read a book on Monte Verde as a child but other than this modest brushwith SW archaeology, I knew little or nothing about the prehistory of thearea.This volume was a good place to start for information about thematerial data available and the way it has been assembled to create aclearer picture of the settlement of Native Americans across this part ofthe continent.I found particularly interesting the notion carefulcustodianship of available resources of an entire area allowed a fairlylarge population to thrive without agriculture. The author also points outclearly that even at the stage of nomadic existance, when little materialevidence is available, the cultural differences attendant upon a lifestyleof wide range migration following animals as opposed to intensive plant usewithin smaller areas are still distinguishable and can be seen in materialremains--or relative lack thereof--over a region under study.Of interesttoo was the concept that farming, far from being the panacea for mankind itis often seen as being in the modern world, was actually a double edgedsword.It encouraged increased population density--with an increase infood and fewer problems for sedentary mothers raising children and anincreased demand for labor creating population pressures for which anatural environment would not be able to provide in emergencies--which leftthe farming peoples much more vulnerable to weather changes and episodes offamine.Schooled as I had been in 1960s and 70s anthropological conceptsof "better life through agriculture," it was a novel notion thatthe hunter-gatherer forbears of early farmers had actually been betternourished and that their mobility and understanding of a larger range ofcountryside actually had left them less vulnerable to environmental mishapsthan agrarian people.The volume also does an excellant job of describingsome of the better known and publicized settled cultures of the SW, such asthe Hohokam and Anasazi with which I was somewhat familiar having lived inthe Phoenix area, and the less well known Mogollon and Mimbres (known morefor their lovely pottery) cultures.The book is well illustrated withmaps, drawings and photographs that will help give the reader a fullerunderstanding of the written information.It also sticks to theinterpretation of the data described rather than going into elaboratedetail regarding actual excavation in the region, which would probably losethe average reader on the subject.I found the book very informative onthe subject, and wish I'd had it to read before I lived in the area.Iwould probably have gotten more out of my stay.

Excellent First Introduction to the Indians of the Southwest
This book is BASIC in its context...don't expect any major revelations except, of course, if you haven't read anything about the Native Americans of the Southwest.It is beatuifully illustrated with some color photos,many excellent charts & maps, and many many turn of the centuryphotgraphs of the area.I live in Phoenix so many of the places arefamiliar to me.It is amazing to see a freeway going over a Hohokamballcourt or to note that many of the canals in use TODAY in Phoenix beganas Hohokam irrigation canals.All in all, a nice book.The publisherscould have cut costs a little, though, if they had used regular paperinstead of the heavy glossy paper, but the photos look so great on theheavier paper it is worth the price.

Excellent First Introduction to the Indians of the Southwest
This book is BASIC in its context...don't expect any major revelations except, of course, if you haven't read anything about the Native Americans of the Southwest.It is beatuifully illustrated with some color photos,many excellent charts & maps, and many many turn of the centuryphotgraphs of the area.I live in Phoenix so many of the places arefamiliar to me.It is amazing to see a freeway going over a Hohokamballcourt or to note that many of the canals in use TODAY in Phoenix beganas Hohokam irrigation canals.All in all, a nice book.The publisherscould have cut costs a little, though, if they had used regular paperinstead of the heavy glossy paper, but the photos look so great on theheavier paper it is worth the price.

Excellent First Introduction to the Indians of the Southwest
This book is BASIC in its context...don't expect any major revelations except, of course, if you haven't read anything about the Native Americans of the Southwest.It is beatuifully illustrated with some color photos,many excellent charts & maps, and many many turn of the centuryphotgraphs of the area.I live in Phoenix so many of the places arefamiliar to me.It is amazing to see a freeway going over a Hohokamballcourt or to note that many of the canals in use TODAY in Phoenix beganas Hohokam irrigation canals.All in all, a nice book.The publisherscould have cut costs a little, though, if they had used regular paperinstead of the heavy glossy paper, but the photos look so great on theheavier paper it is worth the price. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Changing Over Time
It is asserted often that the results of archaeology are empirical, can be assured, or can be verified. After one reads John Currid's "basic guide," one can see why many past conclusions are no longer accepted and why there is a great debate among archaeologists today about what archaeology has proven. Archaeology is a discipline which continues to learn.

Currid tells the story of how archaeology of the land of the Bible began in 1838 when Edward Robinson and Eli Smith traveled the Middle East and identified many biblical sites based upon their modern names. In 1890 William Flinders Petrie began the development of stratio-graphy and its inherent notion that each occupational layer of a mound could be dated by its pottery. After WW II Kathleen Kenyon revolutionized archaeology by digging in small squares within a grid.

So, of course as methods change, conclusions change.

Currid has written a book for someone who has little prior knowledge of archaeology. One thing that is missing is a chapter on Ground Penetrating Radar. It is interesting to read, but as the subtitle says, it is a basic guide.

An informed & concise introduction...
This is a great little book (128 p.) that aims to instruct neophyte archaeologists in the history and core concepts of biblical archaeology. Given the length of the book, it's obvious that nothing is covered exhaustively. But that's not the aim of the book. Currid answers "what is Biblical archaeology?", then follows with a brief history of the field outlining the different techniques and approaches over the past 2 centuries. He then discusses, in individual chapters, the importance and structure of tells (mounds = habitation), land surveying, site identification, the process of excavation, data collection methods, data interpretation, the importance of pottery in archaeology, the philosophy of pottery chronology, the importance of small finds (anything non-pottery), and finally buildings and structures. He keenly closes the book by applying and integrating the concepts discussed in the previous chapters to the archaeology currently being undertaken at Bethsaida. This final chapter is extremely interesting as he shows the importance of each element in acquiring and interpreting data. A helpful B&W map is found early in the book, on which I was able to find all but 1 or 2 of the many sites he mentions. Closeby the map page is a small table showing the breakdown of the various ages (Bronze, Iron, etc.) and their respective date ranges. Several picures are included that assist in understanding vital concepts. Archaeological terms discussed in the text are defined further in inset boxes on the same page. The book is very well done, and perfect for those interested in biblical archaeology (which everyone should be), but uneducated in the basics of the field. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This is a gorgeous book
This is a gorgeous book. As a filmmaker who makes films about rituals, celebrations, and ethnic traditions, I was delighted to see how the soul and culture of the people comes accross through their objects. And these objects are beautiful - textural and detailed to the point where one can almost touch them. The photographer did a great job using lighting that gives the work a three-dimensional look. But this is more than just a great photo book. The careful explanations that accompany each one demonstrate the sophistication and refined aesthetic of people who were once easily dismissed as "primitive". I found it interesting to note how vast their use of materials was - wood, metals, beads, ceramics, etc. Although not a collector in any way, I would have been glad to own any of these objects. Better yet, I now own the book, and would definately recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

a Great Introduction to Peru and history of anthropology
This book is valuable for many reasons. First and foremost, it presents us with the views and attitudes of one of the world's foremost anthropologist-explorers from the beginning of the 20th century. This means lots and lots of passion and enthusiasm, a willingness to risk one's life in pursuit of an elusive goal and an ability to follow one's gut instincts. All traits which, sadly, have practically dissapeared from modern anthropology. In addition, of course, the book is permeated with the spirit of the times (1910-40ies) - which means patronizing attitudes toward the natives (the "savages", who for the most part clearly resented the tasks of having to clear the jungle, build bridges across impassable rapids and climb hills infested with snakes) and an eurocentric view of the world which now seems a bit naive.

All this being said, I must emphasize that this book is a treasure and a must read for anyone about to visit Macchu Picchu - if only to contrast the conditions encountered by Bingham and his Indians to those that exist today, when busloads of clueless tourists are delivered straight to the Temple of the Sun. The first third of the book consists of a superb Introduction including a recapitulation of the16th century records of the Incas and their empire (including the awesome Pachakuti Inca), very competent review of Inca technology (many of their and an excellent recapitulation of the life stories of the last 4 Incas. The last part describes the actual "discovery" of Macchu Picchu which occured by procuring, for a silver coin, the services of Anacleto Alvarez, a local Qechua who had been living among the ruins all along. Macchu Pichu therefore had never been truly "lost" and "discovery" has in this context many interesting connotations.

For my part, I have a respect for Bingham and for his guts that served him so well. In time, for example, they led him to the US Senate (from Connecticut). I suspect it will take many a pachakuti (turning of the Wheel of Time) till another anthropologist gets an opportunity to represent Democracy and the People.

a discovery of one of the lost cities of the incas
Bingham's book was written back in the 1940s. This details his adventures in finding the city of Machi Picchu. The city was never really lost, the Indians knew about it all along. Bingham just brought it to the world's attention. Some of Bingham's theories about the Incas have later been proven false. So if you want the definitive explanation of why Machu Picchu exists, this is not the book. Generally this is a good adventure book and details the last years of the Inca Empire before Francisco Pizarro destroyed it. This is located in the first part of the book, which is interesting. The second half of the book details his theories, some of which have been proven false. For those of you planning on visiting Peru and Machu Picchu, read this book.

Lost City of the Incas - a gripping adventure
This book tells the gripping story of the discovery of Machu Piccu. Although Bingham is an academic archaeologist he appears to be belong to the Indiana Jones school. As a travel book it is a gem - Bingham travels through uncharted teritory in the outback of Peru at teh beginning of the century. He risks his life climbing the steep hillsides to Machu Piccu after getting a tip from a local farmer. But the book is also full of detail on the finds he made at the site. It is an insight into the ways of the Inca, and the archaeologist. Although it can be a bit dry in places - the lists of finds at Machu Piccu - Bingham makes up for this with his absorbing adventure story in the earlier chapters. END ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An excellent readable introduction to archeology
I never read a textbook I liked--until now. The book is easy to read, actually _fun_ to read, and full of valuable examples and information. You don't get overloaded with lots of data, but it has enough to give you a good idea of the archeological methods being described. There are lots of real-life examples too, and that makes the text interesting. The best part of the book is that it explains _why_ archeologists do what they do, not just what they do. I read it before going to a field school, and it gave me exactly the background I needed. It would be a great book for anyone looking for a short, clear, and fun introduction to archeology.

Great for elementary archaeological research concepts
As the name says, this book is brief, and the material strictly introductory. This is not intended as a debasement of its value; on the contrary, it allowed me to have a more coherent picture of the project I am involved in now as a volunteer, especially with regard to the means and objectives of the research process. The simple and lucid text was a breeze. I finished the book cover-to-cover in just three nights, and though I have no background in this field, I dare say that I am now comfortable with the elementary concepts and some of the jargon used. I have tried textbooks before, but I usually find them too thick. Note though that this book is definitely not a substitute for a conventional textbook. For a proper grounding, more advanced material is required, which is where the numerous annotated references provided may prove helpful. More links to other sources are available on the companion website; as for the exercises, they are more of a revision which you can skip if your memory is not too bad and your attention is not diverted while reading. I feel that the book will be helpful to students who want something to start them off with, and people like me who require some working knowledge but do not want to spend too much time studying. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Short and simple
This is up against a lot of competition. Maya civilization has attracted some excellent writers. For an enthralling acount of the decipherment I best liked Michael Coe's "Breaking the Maya Code."For a heavy duty textbook if you have time and dedication go to "Understanding Maya Inscriptions" by John F Harris and Stephen K Stearns, published by the University Museum of Archeology of the University of Pennsylvania. Longhena's book has the advantage of being short and straightforward. Even such a neophyte as myself noticed innacuracies. On page 14 the number thirteen is mislabelled as twenty-three.

A fascinating linguistic tour
Maria Longherna's Maya Script reviews the symbolic written characters of the ancient Maya of Mexico, providing a history of the script and about 200 glyphs and symbols taken from Maya artifacts. A fascinating linguistic tour.

Seriously flawed.
Written by the italian aficionado Maria Longhena, Mayan script is probably the worst book available on mayan hieroglyphs. The text is inaccurate and misleading, full of wrong assumptions not based on archaeological or epigraphic evidence.

Don't fall into this trap
Written by the italian aficionado Maria Longhena, Mayan Script is probably the worst book on mayan hieroglyphs. The text is superficial and inaccurate, full of wrong interpretations not based on epigraphic or archaeological scientific evidence. The abundance of mistakes makes this book particularly misleading for beginners.

Nice to look at but has errors
This book is certainly well illlustrated, but I found a number of errors. Most were simply captions which had been switched between adjacent glyph illustrations. Therefore do not rely on the glyph identifications in this book. On the other hand, if you do not intend to try find any of the glyphs in real inscriptions, this may not be such a problem. ... Read more

Book Description

A splendid guidebook to Ireland's spectacular antiquities-its passage tombs, ring forts, castles, Neolithic settlements, and monastic sites. With its witty and erudite explorations of Irish mythology, history, literature, archaeology, and architecture, this travel book makes for an excellent companion on a journey to Ireland that is also a journey back in time.

Along with fascinating overviews of prehistoric, Celtic, early Christian, and early medieval times, Meagher gives the traveler concrete help in finding the most stunning sites that preserve and breathe that history today (some are surprisingly unknown). After the day's exploring is done, readers can consult the same volume to find where to stay and eat... or entertaining bed-time reading in Meagher's lore about these ancient sites.

In Ancient Ireland, Meagher brings both his passionate scholarship and knowledge of the country and its history to a guide that is at once personal, humorous, engaging, scholarly, and still minutely practical. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A handy, "must-have" for Irish history buffs
Gorgeous color photography illustrates Ancient Ireland: An Explorer's Guide, which leads both the prospective tourist and the armchair traveler on itineraries following landmarks from prehistoric times to medieval ages. Maps, extensive descriptions, lodging recommendations, and inviting background information on the sites that allow one to view Ireland as it has been through the ages of time distinguish this handy, "must-have" for Irish history buffs planning to travel and see the land's wonders for themselves. ... Read more