An introductory manual that explains the basic concepts of chemistry behind scientific analytical techniques and that reviews their application to archaeology. It explains key terminology, outlines the procedures to be followed in order to produce good data, and describes the function of the basic instrumentation required to carry out those procedures. The manual contains chapters on the basic chemistry and physics necessary to understand the techniques used in analytical chemistry, with more detailed chapters on Atomic Absorption, Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy, Neutron Activation Analysis, X-ray Flourescence, Electron Microscopy, Infra-red and Raman Spectroscopy, and Mass Spectrometry.
This Reader presents an easily accessible collection of seminal articles in contemporary Anglo-American archaeological theory for use in introductory undergraduate classes as well as graduate level seminars. It focuses upon the period from 1980 to the present, emphasizing the far-reaching effects of recent internal and external critiques of processual archaeology. The central purpose of the reader is to assist students in thinking about the inter-relationships between theory and practice for different theoretical approaches.
Newly available in paperback, this brilliantly argued and elegantly written book examines the intricate web of belief, myth and society in the Neolithic period, continuing the story begun in the bestselling and critically acclaimed book "The Mind in the Cave". Drawing on the latest research, the authors skilfully link material on human consciousness, imagery and religious concepts to propose provocative new theories about the causes of an ancient revolution in cosmology, the origins of social complexity and even the drive behind the domestication of plants and animals.
Lost and Found II: Rediscovering Ireland's Past is the second of what will be three edited volumes on the theme of discovering Ireland's past. This is unashamedly a 'popular' publication, intended to appeal to everyone who shares a curiosity in those dimly illuminated corners of Ireland's distant past and whose thirst for adventure and discovery is sated only by the deep and satisfying draught of scientific fact without the froth of fiction or fantasy. This anthology, therefore, in common with the first volume , Lost and Found: Discovering Ireland's Past, contains an ecelectic mix of copiously illustrated essays, written by recognised experts in their field, each of whom has embraced a novel aspect of the world of Irish archaeology, history, anthropology, geography, Celtic studies or other related disciplines.
Older than Stonehenge, Mycenae and the Egyptian pyramids, the huge megalithic tomb of Newgrange in Ireland stands as a testament to the achievements of our Stoneage forebears over 5000 years ago. This is an account of that structure.
Our established impressions of early Celtic Ireland have come down to us through the great Irish myths and sagas, yet how do these images compare with archaeological evidence? The author seeks to present a comprehensive and lucid account of the Irish Iron Age. He discusses advances that took place in travel and transport; the common people; the local metalsmiths; and the religious beliefs exemplified by standing stones and offerings in lakes and rivers. New material is examined on Ireland's contact with the Roman world and the final chapter reviews whether La Tene culture was spread to Ireland through invasion or diffusion.
Portal tombs are the least researched megalithic class in Ireland, despite the fact that they have one of the widest distributions of all tomb classes. This study sets out to present a critical synthesis of the previous work on portal tombs and to investigate the chronology, morphology and landscape setting of this enigmatic tomb class. It concerns itself with all portal tombs, in Ireland, Wales and Cornwall. Chapter 1 defines the research methods and the main research questions and aims. Chapters 2 and 3 present the history of research in two parts. All excavations, antiquarian explorations, classification models and the theoretical concepts underlying them are discussed in chapter 2, while landscape studies, phenomenology and my own theoretical approach are discussed in chapter 3. Chapter 4 analyzes the morphology of portal tombs and the different architectural elements, i.e. capstone, portal stones, cairns and so on, and chapter 5 discusses subtypes, hybrids with other tomb classes and regional variations. Chapters 6 and 7 both deal with the chronology of portal tombs. Chapter 6 re-assesses the material culture found in portal tomb contexts and establishes a relative chronology, and chapter 7 introduces the newly obtained radiocarbon assays and puts them into context with the previously obtained dates. Chapter 8 provides an analysis of the various landscape elements found around portal tombs and suggests several conclusions as to what role the landscape might have played for portal tomb builders. Chapter 9 looks in detail at eight case studies, macro-regions with portal tomb clusters, to see if these might provide clues as to how society was organised, if there is evidence for settlement and how portal tombs related there to other tomb classes and to the landscape. Chapter 10 looks at portal tombs and settlements, especially using Early Neolithic settlement evidence, but also comparing it with the Late Mesolithic. Finally Chapter 11 provides a summary and conclusions. A full catalogue is provided in Appendix A containing all 225 sites of portal tombs which had been named as such.
Across the length and breadth of Britain and Ireland lies an unsurpassed richness of prehistoric heritage. "Standing with Stones" is a personal voyage of discovery, taking the reader to over a hundred megalithic sites in a photographic journey through the British Isles. The book is divided into regions, and each site featured is given its Ordnance Survey grid reference.
In a series of 54 stunning full-colour maps covering 3,000 years and spanning the whole of Europe, this book, newly available in paperback, comprehensively charts the dramatic history of the Celts from their origins in the Bronze Age to their present-day diaspora. Taking into account the latest research and academic controversies over the historical identity of the Celts, the atlas deals separately with the Continental Celts (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Anatolia), the Atlantic Celts (Britain and Ireland) and the modern Celts and the current state of Celtic culture.
The fifth edition of "Understanding Earth" continues the book's enduring goal, to help students understand what physical geology teaches us about the world and what it brings to our lives. Two new co-authors have introduced a wealth of recent data and applications to keep the science on the cutting edge. Students will enjoy coming to learn how we know what we know, and how that knowledge impacts our lives as citizens and consumers.
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