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Books > Humanities > Archaeology > Archaeological methodology & techniques
The parenchymous remains of roots and tubers are increasingly becoming recognized as an important category of plant remain alongside seeds, fruits and wood charcoal. Identification is however frequently viewed as problematical and such important indicators of past diet are often left unidentified. This book describes the full range of anatomical and morphological characters used in the identification of the parenchymous remains of roots and tubers. Each of the characters is illustrated by photographs of modern and archaeological plant tissues and by line drawings. Further sections of the book also deal with the examination of archaeological tissues and the preparation of modern plant tissue reference collections.
How do we identify and measure human disease in the past? In the absence of soft tissue, paleoepidemiologists have developed ingenious ways of assessing illness and mortality in archaeological populations. In this volume, the key methods of epidemiology are outlined for non-specialists, showing the importance of studying prevalence over incidence, adjustments needed in studying past groups, how to compare studies, and the dangers of assessing occupation based upon bone evidence. A model for planning a proper paleoepidemiological study concludes the volume. Both as an introduction to epidemiology for archaeologists, and as a primer on archaeological analysis for epidemiologists, this book should serve the needs of both populations.
In this major new volume, leading scholars demonstrate the importance of archaeobotanical evidence in the understanding of the spread of agriculture in southwest Asia and Europe. Whereas previous overviews have focused either on Europe or on southwest Asia, this volume considers the transition from a pan-regional perspective, thus making a significant contribution to our understanding of the processes and dynamics in the transition to food production on both continents. It will be relevant to students, researchers, practitioners and instructors in archaeology, archaeobotany, agrobotany, agricultural history, anthropology, area studies, economic history and cultural development.
This is the first book to appear which correlates within a single volume the relevant data for both archeological and geological dating of human fossil remains. The author was trained both as a geologist and as a prehistorian, and has written this book first to meet the needs of archeologists wishing to learn the stratigraphical frameworks now applied to Quaternary deposits, and second to meet the needs of geologists requiring to know the terminology of Paleolithic and Mesolithic cultures. In this book the author makes use of the results obtained from the latest dating techniques, both relative and absolute. Charts give the latest radiocarbon datings of Middle and Upper Paleolithic sites and cultures in Europe, the Near East and Africa. In an appendix all the most important human fossil remains are listed by name, with dates of discovery, stratigraphical and cultural datings, and absolute ages where known. When this book was first released "Science" magazine called it "A most significant milestone for the study of early man . . . brings together for the first time the results obtained from the relative and absolute dating techniques in use today . . . The book presents this evidence with a clarity that makes it indispensable to all concerned with the research and teaching of paleoanthropology." While the "American Anthropologist" commented "Kenneth Oakley's book is a splendid and unique contribution to the temporal aspect of paleoanthropological studies." "Kenneth Oakley" (1911-1981) was best known for his work in relative dating with fossils. He graduated from University College in Geology and Anthropology, and worked for the British Museum. He had an international reputation in his field and was particularly well known for his part in exposing the Piltdown fraud. His publications include "Man the Tool-Maker," and over 100 papers, many of them on analytical methods of dating bones, particularly the fluorine-dating method.
A comprehensive and practical guide to surveying for archaeologists, with clear instructions in archaeological mapping, recording field work and detailed case studies from the UK, Europe and the US. Philip Howard provides a usera (TM)s guide to methods and instruments of surveying to enable archaeologists to represent their own fieldwork confidently and independently. Archaeological Surveying is an invaluable resource which:
This textbook is an essential read for any field archaeologists who are in need of an introduction to surveying, or simply wish to update their techniques.
This book provides a clear, practical structured approach to
studying archaeological and historic objects. The text, which
includes nine detailed case studies, acts as a comprehensible guide
to the different methods and approaches (cultural, forensic,
technical) which can and have been used to study ancient artifacts.
This volume was first delivered at a conference organised by the Association for Industrial Archaeology in Nottingham in June 2004, and formerly constituted a special issue of Industrial Archaeology Review. The papers have the explicit intention of formulating a research framework for industrial archaeology in the 21st century and demonstrating how far industrial archaeology is now a fully recognised element of mainstream archaeology.
Using archaeological case studies from around the world, this volume evaluates the implications of providing alternative interpretations of the past. These cases also examine if multivocality is relevant to local residents and non-Anglo-American archaeologists and if the close examination of alternative interpretations can contribute to a deeper understanding of subjectivity and objectivity of archaeological interpretation.
A comprehensive and practical guide to surveying for archaeologists, with clear instructions in archaeological mapping, recording field work and detailed case studies from the UK, Europe and the US. Philip Howard provides a usera (TM)s guide to methods and instruments of surveying to enable archaeologists to represent their own fieldwork confidently and independently. Archaeological Surveying is an invaluable resource which:
This textbook is an essential read for any field archaeologists who are in need of an introduction to surveying, or simply wish to update their techniques.
"Digital Archaeology" is a unique edited work addressing the
changing and growing role of digital technologies in all aspects of
archaeology and heritage management. Exploring the wide potential
of IT across the discipline, this book goes beyond the prevailing
notion that computers are merely a methodological tool, and
considers their influence on the very nature of archaeological
study.
The 20th century saw the unlawful killing of approximately 200 million civilians. Sadly, the conflicts and tensions that gave rise to these deaths continue into the 21st century and the task of those involved in investigating mass murder, war crimes and genocide is larger than ever.;"Forensic Archaeology, Anthropology and the Investigation of Mass Graves" provides clear theory and practice for investigators in training, and aims to establish best practice by forensic practitioners. Offering detailed advice on locating and excavating graves, the analysis of human remains, and the surrounding social, political and legal contexts - this book, is a useful reference.
The case studies provided in Case Studies for Advances in Paleoimaging will provide the reader with real-world scenarios and case examples that will help prepare researchers to discover new ways to apply the various modalities associated with the technology. This book is a follow-up to the Beckett and Conlogue's classic work Paleoimaging (2009) and companion to their new contribution Advances in Paleoimaging (2020). The case studies outlined demonstrate the problem-solving nature of imaging research and the application of critical thought to unique problems. Further, Case Studies for Advances in Paleoimaging demonstrates the incredible depth of application of these modalities including photography, endoscopy, x-ray fluorescence, plane radiography, digital radiography, and advanced imaging modalities like multi-detector computed tomography, micro-computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Of particular note, case study seven, Contrast Media Injections, informs the researcher regarding methods to bring out specific anatomic structures that may be the target of a given research question. Intended for students, faculty, and seasoned researchers, Case Studies for Advances in Paleoimaging presents actual cases from the authors' vast experience in the application of paleoimaging modalities in order to answer unique research problems. The book also serves as a field manual for current and future researchers as they approach similar or new cases that present unique challenges. These cases demonstrate how the varied imaging methodologies can provide data which greatly enriches our understanding of the subject at hand, be it ancient cultural remains, forensic recovery, museum holdings, or other anthropological and archaeological artifacts.
As in the present, past peoples commemorated, constructed, and
manipulated their past for their own social and political ends.
Archaeologists can use a variety of evidence to study social memory
and to recover past ideas about what the more distant past was
like. "Archaeologies of Memory" is a groundbreaking text that
presents a coherent framework for the study of memory in past
societies. This unique collection of new essays brings together contributions from both anthropological and classical archaeologists. Essays, drawn from a variety of cultures and time periods, engage a number of common themes, such as issues of authority and identity, and the role memory plays in their creation and transformation. "Archaeologies of Memory" is an accessible investigation into the central issues in the study of memory and provides an engaging introduction to this controversial subject.
After neo-evolutionism, how does one talk about the pre-modern state? Over the past two decades archaeological research has shifted decisively from check-list identifications of the state as an evolutionary type to studies of how power and authority were constituted in specific polities. Developing Gramsci's concept of hegemony, this book provides an accessible discussion of general principles that serve to help us understand and organise these new directions in archaeological research. Throughout this book, conceptual issues are illustrated by means of case studies drawn from Madagascar, Mesopotamia, the Inca, the Maya and Greece.
Geophysics is used in dealing with problems from academic to practical interest. Applications can include, an understanding of the structure of the Earth, resource exploration, environmental and construction concerns, as well as archaeology, palaeontology, law enforcement, and counter-terrorism. The nature of this science makes inaccessible to all but those with rigorous training in mathematics and physics. While there are a great many publications in geophysics at various levels, none has been directed towards those that have a professional need to know about the geophysical techniques or are simply curious. This book was written with that particular audience in mind. Although its fundamental focus is on archaeological applications, it is sufficiently broad to be useful as a reference to support other applications and is sufficiently self-contained to serve as an introductory text.
Raman Spectroscopy in Archaeology and Art History highlights the important contributions Raman spectroscopy makes as a non-destructive method for characterising the chemical composition and structure and in determining the provenance and authenticity of objects of archaeological and historical importance. It brings together studies from diverse areas and represents the first dedicated work on the use of this technique in this increasingly important field. Coverage includes: An Introduction to Raman Spectroscopy, including practical aspects of Raman spectroscopy and complementary techniques; Dyes and Pigments; Artefacts; Biological Materials and Degradation; Jewellery and Precious Stones. The book contains a broad selection of real-world examples in the form of case studies to provide the reader with a true appreciation of the procedures that need to be invoked to derive spectroscopic information from some of the most challenging specimens and systems. Colour illustrations of objects of investigation and a database of 72 Raman spectra of relevant minerals are included. With its extensive examples, Raman Spectroscopy in Archaeology and Art History will be of particular interest to specialists in the field, including researchers and scientific/conservation staff in museums. Academics will find it an invaluable reference to the use of Raman spectroscopy.
SEEING THE UNSEEN. GEOPHYSICS AND LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY is a collection of papers presented at the advanced XV International Summer School in Archaeology 'Geophysics for Landscape Archaeology' (Grosseto, Italy, 10-18 July 2006). Bringing together the experience of some of the world's greatest experts in the field of archaeological prospection, the focus of this book is not so much on the analysis of single buried structures, but more on researching the entire landscape in all its multi-period complexity. The book is divided into two parts. The first part concentrates on the theoretical basis of the various methods, illustrated for the most part through case-studies and practical examples drawn from a variety of geographical and cultural contexts. The second part focuses on the work carried out in the field during the Summer School. Tutors and students took part in the intensive application of the principal techniques of geophysical prospecting (magnetometry, EM, ERT and ground-penetrating radar) to locate, retrieve, process and interpret data for a large Roman villa-complex near Grosseto. SEEING THE UNSEEN. GEOPHYSICS AND LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY provides a clear illustration of the remarkable potential of geophysical methods in the study of ancient landscapes, and will be usefull to Archaeologists, Geophysicists, Environmental scientists, and those involved in the management of cultural heritage.
Archaeologists have long given attention to landscape, especially
within settlement archaeology. In recent years, however, the focus
on landscape has shifted and what was once generally passive
background has now assumed the foreground. This results partly from
archaeologists expanding their view beyond individual sites to
considering a more comprehensive distribution of human traces in
and especially between specific "places of special interest." This book offers new and diverse perspectives on the ideational qualities of past landscapes. The editors introduce several theoretical sources supporting studies of ideational landscapes and, in so doing, give definitions of key categories of landscape, as constructed, conceived, and ideational. The contributors draw on the wide range of literature on these kinds of landscape, numerous case studies and their own theoretical background and experience to provide a thematic examination of the archaeologies of landscape.
Statistics in Practice A new series of practical books outlining the use of statistical techniques in a wide range of application areas:
Peter G. Gould seeks to identify the success factors associated with economic development projects within communities adjacent to archaeological or heritage sites, a growing interest among archaeologists and heritage managers. Typically, the success of site museums, tourism businesses, or crafts cooperatives is rarely reported on in scholarly literature or subjected to systematic study. This book addresses that gap. Gould argues that the success of community projects is inextricably linked to the mechanisms community members use to govern their project activities, and provides a much-needed assessment of the issues relating to community governance. Drawing together insights from economic analysis, political science, tourism scholarship, complexity scholarship, and the governance of non-profit enterprises, Gould suggests a model for community governance and illustrates the workings of that model through four case studies. Armed with this book's theoretical foundation, heritage professionals will have practical approaches to consider when designing community economic development projects.
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