Book Description

One of the century's most spectacular archaeological finds occurred in 1921, a year before Howard Carter stumbled upon Tutankhamun's tomb, when Poul Norlund recovered dozens of garments from a graveyard in the Norse settlement of Herjolfsnaes, Greenland. Preserved intact for centuries by the permafrost, these mediaeval garments display remarkable similarities to western European costumes of the time. Previously, such costumes were known only from contemporary illustrations, and the Greenland finds provided the world with a close look at how ordinary Europeans dressed in the Middle Ages. Fortunately for Norlund's team, wood has always been extremely scarce in Greenland, and instead of caskets, many of the bodies were found swaddled in multiple layers of cast-off clothing. When he wrote about the excavation later, Norlund also described how occasional thaws had permitted crowberry and dwarf willow to establish themselves in the top layers of soil. Their roots grew through coffins, clothing and corpses alike, binding them together in a vast network of thin fibers - as if, he wrote, the finds had been literally sewn in the earth. Eighty years of technical advances and subsequent excavations have greatly added to our understanding of the Herjolfsnaes discoveries. "Woven into the Earth" recounts the dramatic story of Norlund's excavation in the context of other Norse textile finds in Greenland. It then describes what the finds tell us about the materials and methods used in making the clothes. The weaving and sewing techniques detailed here are surprisingly sophisticated, and one can only admire the talent of the women who employed them, especially considering the harsh conditions they worked under. While "Woven into the Earth" will be invaluable to students of mediaeval archaeology, Norse society and textile history, both lay readers and scholars are sure to find the book's dig narratives and glimpses of life among "the last Vikings" fascinating. ... Read more

Book Description

In this book Colin Renfrew directs remarkable new light on the links between archaeology and language, looking specifically at the puzzling similarities that are apparent across the Indo-European family of ancient languages, from Anatolia and Ancient Persia, across Europe and the Indian subcontinent, to regions as remote as Sinkiang in China. Professor Renfrew initiates an original synthesis between modern historical linguistics and the new archaeology of cultural process, boldly proclaiming that it is time to reconsider questions of language origins and what they imply about ethnic affiliation--issues seriously discredited by the racial theorists of the 1920s and 1930s and, as a result, largely neglected since. Challenging many familiar beliefs, he comes to a new and persuasive conclusion: that primitive forms of the Indo-European language were spoken across Europe some thousands of years earlier than has previously been assumed. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

book ponders its way towards a theory of bumkin farmers
Colin Renfrew takes a long time getting to the point here, his point being IE languages could have spread simply as agriculture did so. His points are not compelling. He doesn't do the linguistic footwork necessary to show an origin from the Anatolian plateau. He excludes the Balts entirely from his map of primitive Indo-European peoples. Are we to believe Latvian sprang from the Greek? He DOESN'T do any tracing of crops, much less provide genetic evidence of crop dispersals. The two god things he does get around to actually talking about here: enough of the endless Scythian-Cimmerian-Avar displacements and the almost de rigeur academic nonsense of postulating proto-idioms and then drawing on those fictions for archeological context. He puts the endless calculations of, say, Marija Gimbutas, into a reasonable perspective without demeaning her work. He also convinced me the Scythian semi-nomadic way-of-life spread EAST, not west, which provides some interesting comparisons for me at least between Scythian metal-work and that of modern Tibet, although perhaps I read too much into coincidences of design. An interesting read, but only if you're already interested in Indo-European origins. I really wondered why he didn't mention, amidst all the other criticisms of the historical concept of the Aryans, that the name most certainly means farmer, or more precisely, the guy who ploughs. Geoffrey Vasiliauskas

A challenging model for the spread of indo-european
Since the mid-nineteenth century it has been recognised that most languages can be grouped together with others based on their common roots. One of these groups is that of the indo-european languages (which include the germanic, romance, celtic, slavic, baltic, greek and indo-iranian languages). At one time the area in which these related languages were spoken stretched from the Atlantic to the Far East and from Scandinavia to the Indian sub-continent. Most archaeologists and linguists have suggested: a) that the origin of the indo-european languages lies within the relatively recent past, most probably within the steppes of southern Russia; and b) that the subsequent expansion of the language group was the effect of waves of invading groups stemming from that area. In this challenging and fascinating book, Professor Renfrew suggests that the time-depth of the spread and development of these languages coincided with the spread of agriculture from its middle eastern (e.g. in this case anatolian) origins. He also presents models for the spread of these languages which are intuitively satifying in that they do not require great hordes of people wandering around europe for no particular reason. If you are interested in the origins of the indo-european languages (including english, of course) this is a great place to start.

reasonable if not compelling
Judging from the reviews posted so far, this appears to be a topic over which there is heated disagreement. Notwithstanding the assertions that Professor Renfew's rejection of mass migrations is nothing more than a political agenda, however, there really do seem to be reasons to doubt whether the spread of Indo-European into Europe was the result of a late immigration.

The latest genetic evidence of which I am aware includes studies both of the Y chromosome and of mitochondrial DNA, and both seem to agree in the broad picture that they paint: that modern Europeans are in the main a combination of three groups:

(1) an early paleolithic population that separated into a eastern and a western branch during the last ice age

(2) a later paleolithic group that settled in central Europe

(3) neolithic farmers, late mimmigrants from the Middle East, who spread out along the Mediterranean coast

Archaeologically, there seems to have been only one movement of importance that could plausibly be associated with the spread of Indo-European: the movement of the Danubian farmers that seems to correspond to the genetic population (2) plus smaller elements of population (3) from whom they presumably learned agriculture. Indo-European words seem to indicate a level of culture that would be appropriate for the Danubian farmers: the knowledge of grain and grape crops, livestock, metal, wheeled vehicles, and forts, but not cities, weights and measures, irrigation, or an advanced mathematical system. The Indo-European number seven, for example, is apparently borrowed from Semitic, which argues against mathematical sophistication. Judging from the apparent lack of words for them, the early Indo-Europeans do not seem to have been aware of any non-European animals except leopards, which were abundant in neighboring Anatolia. Claims have been made that they had words for monkey, elephant, and even snow leopard, buth they seem to be doubtful: the claimed words for monkey, for example, are almost certainly borrowed from Semitic.

Profressor Renfew of course advocates an Anatolian rather than a European origin for Indo-European, and it is harder to comment on specifically that aspect of his thesis. Indo-European apparently did not, as he notes, have a word for olive, nor, one might add, for fig, pomegranate, or antelope, as one might expect from a group originating in Anatolia, but it seems impossible to rule it out. Perhaps the Danubian farmers got not merely their knowledge of farming, but their language as well, from immigrants.

provocative but unconvincing
renfrew's book appears to try to prove that there were no mass migrations into europe that carried the indo-european languages into this continent, and it appears that he is altogether uncomfortable with the idea of mass migrations altogether. well, the migrations of celts and germans were facts that were recorded by greek and roman observers, and they were movements of whole populations, not just fighting men, so if you find it uncomfortable to admit that mass migrations took place, too bad. better documented and more recent examples are the movements of slavs and turks during the last two millennia. so migrations are facts.

the second fact that renfrew appears to overlook is that the indo-european languages are too similar to one another to have differentiated at the time when farming spread from anatolia to europe.

the third fact he appears to overlook is one also found in biology and is hence relevant (language, after all, is a behavioural phenomenon of humans, who are biologically speaking mammals): you derive the species from the territory of its genus, and the most likely candidate for the territory of the genus is the area with the greatest linguistic diversity, and this in this case is eastern europe with celtic, germanic, slavic, baltic, a bit further south italic, illyrian, dacian and proto-greek. armenian is also originally a balkan-type language, so you really have hittite, tokharian and indo-iranian that cannot be shown to derive from that area. you do not have that diversity reported for anatolia.

there are other points, too, but these are the most salient i can think of. it appears to be a tortured attempt to prove that 1) there were no bloody mass-migrations into europe (what were all these tombs containing iron weapons, then?) and 2) IE originated and spread from, anatolia. in my opinion it fails in both, but thanks dr renfrew again, it is a very provocative book.

A failed effort, stubbornly insisted upon
When this book first appeared, in the middle of a comparatively huge media storm (nobody can criticize Professor Renfrew's mastery of media approaches), I found myself discussing it, in Oxford, with a linguist specializing in Persian and other Arya languages, and one of the world's great specialists in Indian cultures. (My own field is early Indo-European culture.) From all our very different perspectives, we found ourselves saying the same thing: the archaeological evidence was very interesting, but Renfrew had no understanding of comparative and historical linguistics (so said the Indianist and the historical linguist) or of comparative mythology and Dumezil (so said I). The reviewer below, who points out the violent prejudice against migration in English archaeological theory, is perfectly right: Renfrew is indeed trying to reverse a paradigm which he finds distasteful, not for scholarly reasons, but for disguised ideological ones - a behaviour, alas, all too frequently found in the United Kingdom. And in spite of its evident weakness, he has since insisted on buttressing his unacceptable theory of linguistic development with a string of publications. But the really funny thing is, that a different equally speculative, and even more irrational school of archaeologists, that of Marija Gimbutas, has at the same time insisted on creating an equally mythological picture of peaceful farmers at the origins of Europe - with the Indo-Europeans, this time, as the wicked axe-welding patriarchalist bandits from the steppes putting an end to their matriarchal idyll and introducing war, unknown until then, into Europe! Ain't life grand? ... Read more

Book Description

The first overview of sampling for archaeologists for over twenty years, this manual offers a comprehensive account of the application of statistical sampling theory that is essential to modern archaeological practice, at a range of scales, from the regional to the microscopic.It includes a discussion of the relevance of sampling theory to archaeological interpretation, and considers its fundamental place in fieldwork and post excavation study.It demonstrates the vast range of techniques that are available, only some of which are widely used by archaeologists.A section on statistical theory also reviews the latest developments in the field, and the presentation is clear and user friendly. The formal mathematics is available in an appendix, which is cross-referenced with the main text. ... Read more

Reviews (81)

Educational, Evocative and Entertaining
Of the many science books I have read, very few have been as well-written and sheerly entertaining as they have been educational.

In "The Seven Daughters of Eve," Bryan Sykes broadens the view of human evolution, tracing migrations through time and around the globe. His descriptions of the discovery and his defense of the paradigm shift of using mitochondrial DNA in anthropology are clear and easy to understand.

The heart of the book is the fictionalized reconstruction of the lives of the seven European "clan mothers" discovered by mitochondrial DNA analysis. Mr. Sykes weaves stories of the day-to-day struggle for survival of women at different points in human history. The stories are evocative, and connected me with the actual women more than simply reading "25,000 B.C." would have done. I enjoyed the stories very much. I only wish that Mr. Sykes had footnoted which of the objects mentioned in the stories had actually been found by archaeologists.

I loved Mr. Sykes' use of the word "feminine" to describe the traits that have nurtured and supported human survival. This book is an antidote to superficial definitions of femininity.

I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in human evolution. I would especially recommend the book to women who want to feel a closer connection with their fore-mothers.

Wonderful book! Accessible science for non-scientists
First of all, this is not a book for those already thoroughly familiar with the workings of genetics. Yes, this book is written in a very popular style but I do not believe this is a flaw, but rather its strength. I found Prof. Sykes' writing style extremely engaging and enjoyable, and quite literally could not put this book down.

He manages to draw the reader in and share his great excitement on his journey of discovering the secrets of DNA. He discusses his DNA analyses on the "iceman" discovered in the Alps, the Cheddar man discovered in a cave in southern England, and even on the bones of the Tsar of Russia, and how all of these led him to realize how DNA analysis could be applied to the greater question of how we are all related. He also naturally adds chapters on what exactly DNA is and how it works, but these are never dry or boring.

The seven chapters in which Sykes fictionalizes the daily life of the seven women he has traced to be the common maternal ancestors of most Europeans are the weakest part of the book. However, while I share reviewer D. C. Smith below's doubts about the monogamous nature of prehistoric male-female relationships and while those lines he cited in his review did have me cringing a bit, overall I would have to say that even these chapters served their purpose quite well, as after reading them I have a much clearer idea of the KIND of existence that these women would have lived. The only drawback I can see is if people take these chapters literally, and after having their own DNA analyzed begin seeing themselves as the descendant of the actual individual depicted in these chapters. These seven chapters are only intended to give us an IDEA of how they lived.

In conclusion, I'd have to say that I really did enjoy this book very, very much and have no problem with giving it a rip-roaring rave review! I hope that soon we will see further works providing more detail on the other maternal clans outside of Europe tantalizingly introduced in this book's final chapter.

In the mean time, I can't wait to have my own DNA analyzed by Prof. Sykes' labs at Oxford at the service listed at the back of the book, and find out just where my own ancestry fits into the big picture. I know it sounds extremely corny to say this, but I really do feel this book has to a tiny extent changed my life!

Absolutely painful to read is this book!
Either this stuck up English twit Sykes is writing all about himself or he's writing stupid, phony stone age stories. If I want dumb stone age fiction I'll watch The Flintstones.

The Journy of Man is a better book!
It was on here i read that Spencer Wells's Journey of Man book was better than this conceit-trip by Bryan Sykes (TSDOE is a book of which I have had the bad misfortune of reading since---one of the worst reading expeiences of my life). I have since gotten JOM and loved every bit of it. Wells's book is full of much more important facts and there's also a neat section in JOM on the Aryans. Get Spencer Wells's far superior book and learn more about the aryans possibly in your genetic background. Skip this garbage!

Not much good comes from this ego trip
Outside of the following. Sykes, in spite of his egomania, conveys the important fact that the all important and numerous British have a good deal of mitochondrial DNA of the Syrian kind. This explains why, say, Charlton Heston (Britsh) looks like Ralph Nader (Syrian). As a British person myself (now residing in the USA) I find it interesting that I have so much arab blood from 10,000 years ago. Everything else in the book is worthless. Basques and Polynesians are too few in number the world over so explaining their origins was a total waste (besides what was an explanation of polynesian dna doing in this book anyway, they aren't even Europeans). Also, we already knew (from Paabo!) that Neanderthals aren't in our dna (at least not very much). And the whole stone age historical fiction concept is really dumb and totally fake. An overall rotten book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Definitely the "the standards" for skeletal analysis
This little spiral bound book goes to the lab with me everyday. Buikstra and Ubelaker have combined information from multiple authors to explain the procedures of analyzing human skeletal remains.The forms in the back of the book are the standard forms for skeletal inventory and analysis used in labs througout the country.This book will satisfy both a beginner, and an advanced scientist, however may be difficult for some beginners to understand without some knowledge of osteology.Anyone going into forensic anthropology or bioarchaeology will need this book!

I must have for forensic anthropologist
This book contains the ABC of forensic anthropology. It provides a set of standard measurements used by every forensic anthropologists in the US. ... Read more

Book Description

History's most fascinating landmarks are brought to life in vivid see-through reconstructions in this richly illustrated series. In Then & Now, famous landmarks such as the Acropolis, the Coliseum, and the Tower of London are pictured as when just built and as they look now. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Just Imagine...
I have taken a cue from the authors of this book. Just imagine what the Acropolis looked like when it was made. Or Teotihuacan. Or the Bayon in Cambodia. I recall the feeling of "Is this real" as I crested the ridge and looked down upon the ruins of Mesa Verde's Cliff Palace. I recall the feeling of "Oh, my Gosh" as I approached the Colosseum in Rome.

As I read the pages of _Then and Now_ just for a moment... I am almost there... when the Temple of Karnak when it was built.... and Masada before the Jewish War... and the Tower of London when it was a mighty fortress. For all of my imagination I could not envision what I see in these pages.

Bautifully rendered material
This book is wonderful. The material is well-written and the visual presentation of these architectural wonders is breathtaking..

Twenty sites are depicted: the Step Pyramid and Temple of Karnak in Egypt; Iraq's Nimrud; Masada and the Second Temple in Israel; Crete's Palace of Knossos; the Acropolis and Agora in Athens; four locations in Italy -- the Forum, the Colosseum, Hadrian's Villa and Pompeii; the Tower of London and Glastonbury Abbey (of King Arthur legends) in England; Mesa Verde in the US; Teotihuacan in Mexico; Machu Picchu in Peru; the Bayon in Cambodia; Pakistan's Mohenjo-Daro; and the Great Zimbabwe in the African country of the same name. Each is covered in seven to nine pages of material which include a physical and historical description of the site, a half- to three quarter-page photograph of the present-day location and a high-quality overlay that shows how the structure (did or may have) looked.

The introduction discusses the interest in ruins and contains a chronological table which places all twenty sites within context of each other.

Works like this make history come alive.

Fascinating!!
I already own an earlier edition of this book and it is truly fascinating! It enables you to see the sites reconstructed and this is sometimes hard to imagine when you look at the ruins as they are today. The pictures and their transparences are enhanced by the informative text and occasionally current photographs of the site. This book has been one of my greatest conversation pieces on my bookshelf.

then and now:as they are today as they where in the days of
this book was very informative on the topic of past great placesall over the world ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Strong evidence, computer simulation proofs, ACTS
Paul was wrongfully accused by the Jews in Jerusalem; arrested by the Romans; transferred to Caesarea to await trial. The Roman in charge was a man named Julius, a ranking centurion. Julius broke passage from the port of Caesarea on a local Adramyttium vessel load with grain; the grain provided bonuses because of food shortages in Roman and represented risk taking on perilous seas to capture the bounty; it was autumn and the weather patterns were troublesome; the vessel was some one hundred and eighty feet in length, contained a sail mass, four anchors, and additional two on the back; carrying enough grain too feed every mouth in Athens for a year.

Two hundred and seventy men boarded the Alexandrian grain freighter for Crete; soon after departing the ship ran into difficult winds at Cnidus, so a change in heading took them to Crete (Acts 27:7); at Fair Haven, Paul argued to stay for the winter and not risk the ship and its crew; the centurion listened to the helmsmen not Paul departing out to sea again sailing close to Crete (Acts 27:13) . "Black rain-gorged clouds spilled over the mountain peaks of Crete" and they knew a Euroclydon, a violent norteaster was about to hit (Acts 27:14); superstition and fear filled the mariners hearts; ignoring reason they plowed into the violent sea; the full force of the gale blasted the ship; they were driven away from the island of Crete and the wind drove her; added horror struck the sailors as they realized the gale winds were blowing them southwest into the direction of the dreaded Gulf of Syrtis, on the north coast of Africia (Acts 27:17); the Euroclydon whipped the Mediterranean water into monsterous waves, risking the threat of sinking the crew began dumping items into the sea (Acts 27:18); on the third day the ship's tackle, rigging, and maritime equipment went overboard (Acts 27:19); the storm was so bad that for many days no light from the sun, stars, or moon was seen.

Paul tells the crew, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss." Acts 27:21-26. Paul reaccounts the a statement made by the angel indicting he would stand before Caesar and therefore he believed God would do just as God told him; however, they must run aground on a certain island. On approach to the island, depth sounds were given; the first sound indicated a depth of 120 feet, the second sounding gave a depth of ninety feet; and they knew they were drawing into shallow water (Acts 27:28).

Cornuke discovered these depths corresponded to the water depths of St Thomas Bay in Malta; Munxar reef matched the description of two seas meeting at the reef causing hugh walls of water waves out a few miles from shore with strong currents foaming like a giant serpent; observing a bay with a beach the crew decided to run the ship ashore if possible, a least likely chance (Act 27:39); Paul implores the men to take food and then they dump the grain lightening the ship (Acts 27:38); they let four anchors go into the sea, at Munxar reef (Acts 27:40); two more anchors are dropped in shallow water of thirty feet; the waters are destroying the boat destroying the stern, so they cut the anchors (Acts 27:41); the usual order of the Romans in such a situation was kill all the prisoners; however, Julius wants to spare Paul's life and commands all who can swim too swim to shore. (Acts 27:43)
What evidences did Bob Cornuke Find : 1. four Roman anchors near the mouth of a Big cave off the Munxar reef 2. Accounts of two more Roman anchors found in thirty foot shallow water 3. St Thomas Bay matched the beach description given by Luke and Paul. 4. Professor Anthony Bonanno, University of Malta, verified two of the anchors could have existed in the time period 100 B.C to 100 AD by Roman grain ships, Roman stock in the era of Paul. 5. Finding four anchors in close proximity indicated a sudden cut in the lines caused by a crisis. 6. Using computers at the Rescue Coordination Center of the Armed Forces of Malta, the fourteen day drift using a computer simulation put the wooden vessel on southern malta near Munxar reef. The computer program used weater patterns during that period, the currents of the ocean, the weight and drag of the vessel, and weather characteristics during different types of storms. The computer program considered the veering characteristics of the northwestern gale. The drift was calculated in 48 hour periods of drift; drift occurred westernly from Claudia; the next several quadrants put the ship within seventy eight miles of the northern coast of Africa; and in fourteen days arrived exact according to theory.

A great read!!!!!
I absolutely loved reading The Lost Shipwreck of Paul by Robert Cornuke. When I purchased the book, I thought It was just going to be a dry archeological or apologetics book on searching for some evidence to prove the historicity of the Biblical author Luke (who wrote the Gospel according to Luke and the acts of the Apostles). While the book is about archeological discovery and about proving the historicity of Luke, it is much much more. First off I like Cornuke's writing style, he writes in a way like an investigator (he was a policeman at one time) yet paints word pictures in a nice way, away that fills the mind with his adventures. The Book is very entertaining and I found myself getting lost in the text many times, wondering off to the places and events he was describing. I think this book may spark you interests in many things, Scuba diving for one (this part will especially appeal to us males), Visiting Malta for vacation (Love the word pictures, and there are a few color pictures inside the book, the Maltese sound like a wonderful people), getting involved in archeology (maybe in relating to the historicity of the Bible), and in seeking out the Bible for yourself. Weather you are a believer in the Bible or not I think you will find this book thoroughly enjoyable.

Anchors, Maltese divers, ...and oh yeah.. Paul
The worst thing about Cornuke's books...is that they have to end.

I'm not sure if he's got the same Ghost writer on this one, but I've enjoyed all 3 of the books I've bought from the 4 Cornuke has produced.

This book is an adventure by proxy of the early days of diving...and the discoveries made by those lucky enough...and daring enough to be there.

The Maltese fishermen of the 60's and 70's had no way of knowing what they had found. Cornuke however has done the best job possible in proving that the lead anchor stocks pictured in the middle of the book, ARE in fact...the anchors spoken of in Acts 27.

The events of the book touch upon Sept. 11, 2001. I'm not sure I followed Cornuke's attempt to make the discovery somehow spiritually relevant to today.

It's a cool discovery, but spiritually significant? Guess you'd have to be there.

Regardless of how I felt though, I do highly recommend the book. Incredible adventure and some apologetics mixed in.

Gripping
This is an amazing book! Using the Bible as a roadmap, Mr. Cornuke once again takes us on a fascinating journey into ancient times. This time his search is for the four anchor's that were dropped near Malta during a shipwreck as Paul the apostle was being transported to Rome. The harrowing account can be found in the New Testament book of Acts.
This book is very well written and full of surprises and adventure. I was planning to read it off and on during the summer as time permitted but from the first chapter I couldn't put it down. It's so amazing to think of the treasures this world holds; actual evidence that the people in the bible really existed and their stories really happened. Read this book, you will not be disappointed.

The Lost Shipwreck of Paul
Amazing detective work!
Bob Cornuke has found the physical evidence that confirms Luke's account of Paul's shipwreck..... right down to the depth of the water! Incredible! A "must read" for anyone interested in discovering historical truth. ... Read more

Book Description

Twenty-five projects such as making a surface survey of a site, building a screen for sifting dirt and debris at a dig, tracking soil age by color, and counting tree rings to date a find teach kids the techniques that unearthed Neanderthal caves, Tutankhamun's tomb, the city of Pompeii, and Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec empire. Kids will delight in fashioning a stone-age tool, playing a serialization game with old photographs of cars, "reading" objects excavated in their own backyards, and using patent numbers to date modern artifacts as they gain an overview of human history and the science that brings it back to life. ... Read more

Book Description

A revolution is underway in archaeology. Working at the cutting edge of genetic and molecular technologies, researchers have been probing the building blocks of ancient life-DNA, proteins, fats-to rewrite our understanding of the past. Their discoveries (including a Mitochondrial Eve, the woman from whom all modern humans descend) and analyses have helped revise the human genealogical tree and answer such questions as: How different are we from the Neanderthals? Who first domesticated horses and ancient grasses? What was life like for our ancestors? Here is science at its most engaging. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Excellent but ...
The book is excellent and I'm not going to repeat what other reviewers have said. But, there is no graphic illustrations.

Scientific roller-coaster ride
To those complaining about life's ups and downs, read this for consolation. Even the Stock Market doesn't achieve the rises and falls exhibited by the field of archaeology. Except the focus here is on ideas, not finance. Jones describes the tumultuous history of understanding human evolution during the past century. From a few bones and broken pottery, archaeology tried to unravel the mysteries of our past. The implementation of molecular analysis techniques, he shows, has revealed information undreamt of only a generation ago. In this excellent summary, Jones explains how new research has established our roots, our progress around the planet, and mundane details of our past life in various locations.

The imaging of the DNA molecule opened new portals for explaining life's progress. Once it was understood DNA can change, sometimes at a calculable rate, tracking the modifications became a new analysis tool. "Markers" on the molecule can be studied and placed in a chronological context. Jones manages to explain both the markers and the analysis techniques in clear, jargon-free prose. It's not an easy task, but he achieves it admirably.

Through much of this book, the "Jurassic Park" image remains a running theme. DNA from insects embedded in amber, however, proved an illusory quest. Although the insect bodies appeared intact, close inspection revealed the DNA was shattered long ago. Still further [and rather later] investigation resulted in some unexpected surprises - the insects didn't contain dinosaur DNA, but that of residents in their own guts. More than gut bacterial DNA survived- the entire organism was still living after millions of years.

The journey from "Jurassic Park" to realistic analysis has not been a smooth, linear path. Jones explains how new finds led to various theories of human evolution and migration with resultant cultural developments. The rise of agriculture was long held to have originated in one place, then spread across the planet. Molecular analysis techniques demonstrated the fallacy of that idea, Jones explains, revealing the evidence demonstrating the emergence of farming in various places. China's history of rice production preceded by centuries the grains produced in the Tigris-Euphrates area. Many other "established" concepts have been refuted by various methods of molecular analysis. Each new "absolute" is described by Jones as if irrefutably established. Then he discards the dogma with a flourish of new data.

The most compelling chapter in the book takes us away from DNA, with its many limitations, to "the other molecules". In "beyond DNA", Jones describes these molecules and the many surprises proteins, lipids and even blood now offer. The unexpected persistence of these compounds in proper circumstances reveals an immense amount of data. Animal blood has been taken from stone weapons providing information on prey species. Certain proteins found in blood prove astonishingly persistent, Jones explains. Having mineral attachment properties, these proteins can be found in bones and provide additional dating tools.

Plant-related molecules such as silicon "phytoliths" which give grasses a sharp edge and seeds barbs for protection and propagation can provide useful information. These and other indicators are being found in ancient grindstones and stone tools such as scythes. Jones laments the loss of such material from the early days of archaeology when such artefacts were scrupulously cleaned prior to analysis. "Dirty" evidence is proving of immense value in dating and environment of locale.

Jones has provided us a compelling account of the annals of molecular analysis in human affairs. Of far greater importance than the history of this discipline are the opportunities for further research. Anyone pondering a career in any one of a number of fields related to the human past would do well to investigate this book. Jones explains that molecular analysis topics range from broad, general themes to individual events. These run from the human diaspora to the murder of the Romanovs. Surely there is something here to interest any budding scholar. Read this for a survey of the options and decide for yourself. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

The Molecule Hunt
The Molecule Hunt: Archaeology and the Search for Ancient DNA written by Martin Jones is a book about modern molecular archaeology and what it entails.

This book is a fascinating and absorbing story of scientific inquiry. Keeping in mind that what is preserved for the scientist is in fosilized form and what DNA samples that they do get need specialized equipment and new field methods for getting the samples, essentially changing the way we think about archaeology.

This book is an easy read, largely helped by the author's prose making for a highly educational read about remarkable new techniques now available for investigation of our, human, past. DNA can be found in all life on the planet, extracting a sample from the past is extremely difficult. From seeds, wood, amber and even pot shards yeild a unique picture of the past as to what our diets consisted of and how we lived.

The author's enthusiasm for this subject is in evidence as the reader goes from chapter to chapter finding how molecular archaeology is in a scientific revolution making our concepts of the past change before our eyes. Stomach contents preserved in humans yields information about ancient diets.

This is an educational book as it shows how scientists, devising a molecular clock, from certain area of the DNA molecule, were able to determine that all humans descend from one common female ancestor... "The Mitochondrial Eve."

This is an all around good read as your eyes read, your brain will say I didn't know that they could do that... amazing as to what can be found out in molecular archaeology.

How science can connect ancient mysteries & modern marvels
The Molecule Hunt: Archaeology And The Search For Ancient DNA by Martin Jones (the first to hold the George Pitt-Rivers Professorship of Archaeological Science, Cambridge University, and Chairman of the Ancient Biomolecules Initiative program) is a serious, authoritative, highly accessible introduction for the non-specialist general reader to the fascinating scientific revelations that ancient proteins and remnants of DNA trapped in fossils and amber can tell us about the prehistoric world from which they derived. From the discovery that all humans come from one female ancestor 150,000 years ago (dubbed "The Mitochondrial Eve"), to comparing Neanderthal DNA to that of modern homo sapiens, to revising when the first humans crossed the Aleutian land bridge, and much more, The Molecule Hunt is an amazing, informed and informative glimpse into how the disciplines and technologies of science can connect ancient mysteries with modern marvels. ... Read more

Book Description

A revolutionary book that explains the most enigmatic and fascinating wonder of the ancient world: the Pyramids of Egypt. "[An] absorbing and fascinating work of archaeological detection...clearly and rivetingly told...the book is highly and compulsively readable."--London Sunday Times. 16-page black-and-white inserts. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

This was the most facinating book I've ever read.
I thought that The Orion Mystery was very facinating. I have always liked ancient mysteries and what they are connected to, kinds of books. This book proposed a specifically interesting mystery. The book was about a group of pyramids from Egypt's forth dynasty. It said that the group of pyramids coincided with the orion constellation. It also says that the pyramids are on the exact position of the stars in this particular constellation. The Benben stone that the egyptians believe to be linked to the creation of the world was also in these pyramids. I believe that The Orion Mystery made me want to keep reading and also to read other books to keep finding out about these pyramids in Egypt. I found myself unable to put it down. I liked this book because it did not propose anything inpossible but something that you could actually believe. I think that if you like this sort of mystery or like to here about Egyption findings I think you will definately find that you like this book.

Alternative insight spark new interest in pyramids
For those who are interested in the pyramids, this book cut across very strong conventional thinking of what they are thought to be and sprout new insights into their purpose. For those who support the underdogs, the story of the obstacles the author faced to bring us this alternative insight is also worth reading about. After first reading this book in 1994, my interest in the pyramids was rekindled and my suspicion of their purpose lifted slightly. My sixth sense have always told me that the pyramids are not just tombs, even for pharaohs. To view them as a stellar temples are more "acceptable conventionally". Are we a step closer to finding out the truth about the pyramids? I remember a time what someone suggest that the earth is round when the catholic church believe that it is flat. Perhaps, we are heading in the right direction this time. I first read about the Pyramid Text in this book.

AMAZING
Next to Grahm Hancock, Robert Bauval is the creme de la creme of astro-archeology.

Everything you thought you knew about the pyramids is WRONG.

In the future the work of Bauval and Hancock is the marker that determines our understanding of ancient works like The Great Pyramid.

We are in a 'new age' of understanding our past thanks to the works of geniuses like Bauval and Hancock.

AMAZING

The importance of having purpose.
What was the purpose behind building the pyramids? I know. Why do archeologists feel compelled to drill thru every door leading to secret rooms within pyramids? I know the purpose behind that as well. More importantly I know that unless you wish to end up like Atlantis and every other ancient civilization that being vanished and vanquished you will remove urselves from all juxtapositions against pyramids. Ur better off rock or mountain climbing. Don't tell me I didn't tell u so! Does the book address these issues?

An interesting read with new and fresh ideas!
I find "THE ORION MYSTERY" an interesting book, and was quite hard to put down after reading the 1st chapter. Robert Bauval introduces new revolutionary theories that the Egyptians were not a heliocentric (solar-based) culture but an astral (star-based) one. Also included in his book are interesting details of the Upuaut 2 robotic exploration of the shafts in the Great Pyramid of Khufu. His writing was very down-to-earth and not confusing or scientific - a wonderful book for anyone interested in Egypt and the pyramids. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fascinating look at prehistoy
Prehistoric cultures have always been a mystery unto themselves. How "civilized" were they and what knowledge was passed on to the earliest civilizations of Egypt and Sumer (and in turn future civilizations like Greece) is debatable.
The purpose of this book is to show that Plato may have been referring to actual events that took place during the end of the last ice age. This is not a book about an Atlantis that was comprabable to 2002 technology. This book is about prehistoric cultures that were widespread throughout Europe that were more advanced than current thought would lead us to believe. How advanced is really the question as this book only refers to the possiblilities while presenting it's case. Anyway the belief is that at the end of the last ice age water levels were much lower, hence cultural meccas were wiped out leaving the lesser cultures to carry the torch, when the water levels began to rise to present day levels. These cultures were the Atlantians and the Greeks who fought, according to the priests of Egypt. There's much more to the story but that's the start of it.
This book is very well written and researched. You certainly get a sense of Miss Settegast opinions but she sticks to the facts when reviewing her case. I have read a dozen or so books on the subject and this is by far the best of the lot. If Plato's story is true (and I believe it was to Plato just because of the Solon reference alone), then this is a vey sound theory. Oh and one more thing.... Anyone who thinks that Egyptian and Sumerian civilizations appeared out of nowhere might have a differnt take after reading this book, especially the section about Catal Huyuk.

Best Book I've Read in Two Years
I'm currently reading the original (1986/87) edition of this book. First saw it cited in Robert Schoch's "Voices of the Rocks" which I also highly recommend. Mary Settegast has produced a well written, well reasoned, and well documented survey work. She builds a case for the identification of the Magdalenian culture as the historical basis for Plato's Atlantis legend. This is analogous to Schliemann's use of Homer's Trojan war accounts to locate the historical Troy. While not necessarily accurate in certain particulars (conversations between characters etc), each tale is a retelling and preservation of an historical event with many verifiable facts. ... Read more

Book Description

This comprehensive and absorbing book traces the cultural history of Southeast Asia from prehistoric (especially Neolithic, Bronze-Iron age) times through to the major Hindu and Buddhist civilisations, to around AD 1300.Southeast Asia has recently attracted archaeological attention as the locus for the first recorded sea crossings; as the region of origin for the Austronesian population dispersal across the Pacific from Neolithic times; as an arena for the development of archaeologically rich Neolithic, and metal using communities, especially in Thailand and Vietnam, and as the backdrop for several unique and strikingly monumental Indic civilizations, such as the Khmer civilization centered around Angkor.Invaluable to anyone interested in the full history of the region. ... Read more

Book Description

Early Civilizations of the Old World traces the development of civilization in Egypt, the Levant, Mesopotamia, India and China from before the Neolithic period to the emergence of the State. The ecological and economic background to growth, geographical factors, cross-cultural intersection and the rise of urbanism are examined in each case, explaining how particular forms of social structure and cultural interaction developed.

In its broad scope and comparative approach this accessible volume is an ideal introduction to the birth of civilization from the Mediterranean to the Far East. This volume challenges the traditional assumption of a band-tribe-chiefdom-state sequence in the development of civilization. It demonstrates that large complex societies can flourish without social classes and the state, as dramatically shown by the Indus civilization, and presents new evolutionary mechanisms. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent but only for scholars
I feel attracted by the comparative scope of this book. After reading it, I come to the conclusion that it was written by a scholar for other scholars, because of two features: i) excellent content, showing the state of the art, and offering its own very interesting synthesis on the matter, combined with; ii) extremely arid form, which full and deadly boring detail of archeological sites. Both thing are truth, therefore I have rated the book as 3 , because its content deserves 5 starts but because if its dryness only 1. Therefore, if you are extremely interested in the subject, buy for your illustration, not to enjoy the reading. ... Read more

Book Description

This wide-ranging survey has established itself as the best single-volume introduction to Andean art and architecture. Now fully revised, it describes the strikingly varied artistic achievements of the Chavín, Paracas, Moche, Chimú, and Inca cultures, among others. Their impressive cities, tall pyramids, shining goldwork, and intricate textiles constitute one of the greatest artistic traditions in history.

For the second edition, Rebecca Stone-Miller has added new material covering the earliest mummification in the world at Chinchorros, wonderful new Moche murals and architectural reconstructions, the latest finds from the Chachapoyas culture, and a greater emphasis on shamanism. Throughout, Stone-Miller demonstrates how the Andean peoples adapted and refined their aesthetic response to an extremely inhospitable environment. 185 illustrations, 35 in color. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Balanced and Astute
This book stands out, among many others, for the quality of insight that Rebecca Stone-Miller brings to her study of Andean art. Not content with simple typology and iconography, her account is illuminated by the cultural constants - "duality, reciprocity, hierarchy, and embeddedness in nature" (p. 218) that she finds in the underlying Andean cultures. Art history, in these terms, becomes an exploration of meaning, both of the art that is produced and of the culture that produces it. It's rare to find so much insight in an introductory book; I highly recommend it.

Another strength of the book is the nicely-judged balance of attention that the author pays to the multitude of cultures (including the Chavin, Nasca, Moche, Wari, Tiwanaku, Chimu, and Inca, to name just some) that weave together into the Andean tapestry. The author also provides balanced coverage of all the arts -- metalwork, tapestry, featherwork, stone working, and architecture, in addition to the ever-popular ceramics (pottery).

With so much ground to cover, there are relatively few individual ceramic examples in the book; this unfortunately gives a too-restricted an idea of the range of form, beauty, and variety of Pre-Columbian pottery from South America. I recommend a book such as "Ceramics of Ancient Peru," by Christopher B. Donnan, as a supplement to Rebecca Stone-Miller's study.

A small number of errors have made it through the second edition. For example, the distance from Quito to Santiago is quoted as 3400 miles, rather than the correct 3400 kilometers. A bothersome number of specialized terms were left out of the index. A glossary would have been helpful, and one wishes that more of the photos had been printed in color rather than black and white.

In summary, "Art of the Andes" is a balanced and insightful survey that should appeal to a wide variety of readers. It's the kind of book that doesn't just sit on the shelf after one reading, but gets picked up again, thumbed through, and read more than once.

Excellent historical overview of native Andean art.
This is an excellent overview of native Andean artform the earliest perod through Chavin, Paracas, Nasca, Moche, Tiwanaku, Wari, to Incan. Covers architecture, textiles ,pottery and metallic arts. Looks at the main themes of religious and secular art in these various mediums. Text is accompanied by many black and white photographs, drawings and plans. Some photographs are in colour.

I found this work most interesting for the way it brings out the Andean worldview through the artistic artifacts remaining of those cultures. The work is also reasonably priced and up to date. ... Read more

Book Description

Major advances in the use of geographic information systems have been made in both anthropology and archaeology. Yet there are few published discussions of these new applications and their use in solving complex problems. This book explores these techniques, showing how they have been successfully deployed to pursue research previously considered too difficult--or impossible--to undertake. Among the projects described here are studies of land degradation in the Peruvian Amazon, settlement patterns in the Pacific northwest, ethnic distribution within the Los Angeles garment industry, and prehistoric sociopolitical development among the Anasazi.The book is divided into a general section on the theory of geographic information systems, followed by sections demonstrating actual applications in cultural anthropology, archaeology, paleoanthropology, and physical anthropology.The work will be of much interest within all these communities. ... Read more

Book Description

The fact of the Lost Ark of the Covenant is one of the grant historical mysteries of all time. To believers, the Ark is the legendary vesel holding the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. The Bible contains hundreds of references to the Ark's power to level mountains, destroy armies, and lay waste to cities. The Ark itself, however, mysteriously disappears from recorded history sometime after the building of the Temple of Solomon.

After ten years of searching through the dusty archives of Europe and the Middle East, as well as braving the real-life dangers of a bloody civil war in Ethiopia, Graham Hancock has succeeded where scores of others have failed. This intrepid journalist has tracked down the true story behind the myths and legends -- revealing where the Ark is today, how it got there, and why it remains hidden.

Part fascinating scholarship and part entertaining adventure yarn, tying together some of the most intriguing tales of all time -- from the Knights Templar and Prester John to Parsival and the Holy Grail -- this book will appeal to anyone fascinated by the revelation of hidden truths, the discovery of secret mysteries. ... Read more

Reviews (63)

Raiders of the lost Ark?
"Hey, Indy I've found something", Oh, wait, that's a line from the movie 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' isn't it? and 'The Sign & the Seal' is a serious historical, archaelogical account of the search for, and supposed discovery of the biblical Ark of the Covenant. Yes, one is fantasy and the other non-fiction, although after reading some parts of the book, don't be surprised if you find yourself flipping to the backcover to check on the publishing category. For your reference it's 'history/religion/archaeology'

That the book reads like a great adventure novel makes it enjoyable. That it purports to have solved the mystery of not only what happened to the Ark, but also that Hancock says that he knows where it is, makes this a book that deserves serious attention. The author spent considerable time researching this subject and his quest took him to Jerusalem, Egypt, the Chartres Cathedral in France and finally Ethiopia. He read widely and interviewed many people and discusses a wide variety of topics. The Kebra Nagast (the ancient Ethiopian history of the Queen of Sheba), the Templars, the Holy Grail, the biblical story of Solomon and the Babylonian Exile of the Jews all have some bearing on the wherabouts of the Ark. Hancock weaves it all together with style.

Research, genuine interest, enthusiasm and writing style however are insufficient in overcoming the critical flaw of the book. Unlike a movie which can end however it chooses, an investigative history book must prove it's thesis. Hancock neatly dodges producing proof by telling us that the guardian of the Ark won't let anyone see it. In recalling the conversation Hancock remembers saying 'this is a great disappointment for me', to which the guardian philosophically replied 'there are worse things in life than disappointment', to which I say, there are many movies that could use good endings like this but a history book should not be allowed to get away with it.

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK was more believable
This book was a chore to get through. Hancock conures up a wild theory, does nothing to prove it, then treats it as an established fact in the next chapter.

(Try reading a book called THE GOLD OF EXODUS instead, much better written and infinitely more fun.)

Yes Virginia the Ark is in Ethiopia
Grahm Hancock is a modern investigative journalist/author that is in a class all by himself.

So you didn't know there were black Jews in Ethiopia since the time of Solomon.

You didn't know the Templar's found these 'lost jews'.

You didn't know 'til this day the 'church of Ethiopia' which is a misture of Old Temple Jewish customs and early Coptic Christian customs actual has a temple dedicated to housing THE ARK taken from Solomon's Temple.

If you like religious works this is one you will love.

BUY IT NOW

Fantastic Biblical Journey
I have only read half way through this book and I find it very enjoyable. It bit hard to read in the beginning, but it picks up toward the middle and is almost hard to put down.

The Book with some of the passages cause you to sit back and think, as well as wonder about the times prior to present day history. Also cause one to reflect on their own relgious beliefs and contemplate it origins.

Well documented, excellent research.

The Part That Kills Me...
...is when people say it's "unlikely" that the Ark is in Ethiopian or that "it's just not" the same as the Holy Grail simply because they BELIEVE it's not. Hancock went through a lot of trouble to research this thing (whether you find his methods thorough or not) and he has basically "thrown down the gauntlet." If you think he's wrong, take up the challenge and do your own research to SHOW where he's wrong; it makes you look like an idiot when you say he's wrong just based on the power that you BELIEVE it's so. ("Myths aren't based on any kind of reality, not because I've done extensive research to prove that this is ridicuous, but because I BELIEVE it's ridiculous and I said so. That should satisfy anyone that this is an impressive rebuttal to Hancock's thorough research.") Who are YOU?!? No, your mere belief that Hancock is wrong is not enough for me to take your review seriously. Try actually pointing out a fact or two that makes me think, so that I can investigate and SEE that he's wrong. Thanks. ... Read more

Book Description

The Maya has long been established as the best and most readable introduction to the New World's greatest ancient civilization. In these pages Michael D. Coe distills a lifetime's scholarship for the general reader and student. Now, for the sixth edition, Professor Coe incorporates the latest ideas and research in a fast-changing field. Spectacular tomb discoveries at the city of Copn reveal some of the early artistic and architectural splendors at this major site. New finds here and elsewhere entail a complete reinterpretation of the relationship between the warrior-kings of the Classic Maya lowlands and Teotihuacan, the greatest city of pre-Conquest America. Continuing epigraphic breakthroughs--decipherments of Maya inscriptions--demonstrate vividly the shifting power blocs among the competing Maya city states. A special feature of this revised edition is a new guide to reading Maya hieroglyphic writing, for students, visitors to the Maya area, and scholars alike. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Good introduction
This was a pretty good introduction to the Maya. It has a lot of good reference materials in it, such as time lines and maps. In some areas the writing is a little dry and dull, but overall I felt like I had gotten a fairly good overview of the Maya when I was done. He presents both popular and marginal theories on the various mysteries of the Maya. He is thourough in covering the various aspects of the Maya and I felt it was a good place to start if you are interested in learning more about this culture.

Jam packed with information
There is a lot of information within the book and plenty of images. I personally feel that it could with colour images, however, there are many black and white photographs and illustrations for each chapter. I would recommend this text for all Mesoamerican students and enthusiasts alike.

Informative and update
As a new-comer to Mayan history, I enjoyed the writing in this book. Coe gives a broad description of this complex history while not getting bogged down in extraneous details. The pictures are valuable, especially the city scape pictures and the conditions which the sites were found in modern times. As a previous reviewer recommended, Read Chapter 8 and 9 after reading chapter 3. This might fill in some gaps and clarify some of the middle chapters. Overall, a good start to Maya history and culture

Great overview of the Maya area
Overall, I found Coe's book to be informative and full of all the necessary facts. At the same time it kept my attention with the beautiful color pictures and descriptions of sites and artifacts. This book will give the reader an overview and introduction to the Maya area while incorporating the latest findings. This makes a great general reference book as well as a good read. The only suggestion I have is that the final three chapters on religion and every-day life come before the in-depth discussion of sites.

Great information but becomes bogged down at times
This book has great information but at times becomes bogged down and difficult to understand. The first several chapters were the best. Pictures and maps are excellent. Unless you are a true Maya enthusiast, I would pass on this one. There are easier to read books on the subject for the novice. ... Read more

Book Description

Identification of Pathological Conditions in Human Skeletal Remains provides an integrated and comprehensive treatment of pathological conditions that affect the human skeleton. There is much that ancient skeletal remains can reveal to the modern orthopaedist, pathologist, forensic anthropologist, and radiologist about the skeletal manifestations of diseases that are rarely encountered in modern medical practice. Beautifully illustrated with over 1,100 photographs and drawings, this book provides essential text and materials on bone pathology, which will improve the diagnostic ability of those interested in human dry bone pathology. It also provides time depth to our understanding of the effect of disease on past human populations.

Key Features
*Comprehensive review of skeletal diseases encountered in archeological human remains
* More than 1100 photographs and line drawings illustrating skeletal disease including both microscopic and gross features
* Based on extensive research on skeletal paleopathology in many countries for over 35 years
* Review ofimportant theoretical issues in interpreting evidence of skeletal disease in archeological human populations ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Most Comprehensive Ever
I think that the thing I found most helpful about this book, is that the illustrations show normal articulation and then have the traumatized area together for easier comparisons. This book covers everything from cellular biology to disease pathology and histology. It's worth the money to have this book as a resource in your library.

The Bible of Paleopath
This book is the Bible of Paleopathology. I have the first edition of this book and it has been indispensible to me since I first bought it years ago. Any serious skeletal biology or human osteology student should own a copy of this book. ... Read more