Technological advancements in the field of archaeology
substantially rewrite long-accepted historical facts about
Britain.Archaeologist Pryor has already meticulously mapped out key
periods in his homeland's history (Britain BC, 2005, etc.), so he's
perfectly placed to provide this historical overhaul of its Middle
Ages. He begins by outlining the incredible changes that have
occurred in British archaeology in recent years, as government
spending increased from (UKP)3 - (UKP)4 million in the 1980s to a
colossal (UKP)40 - (UKP)50 million in 2004. The opening chapters
set the tone for the rest of this account. Writing in relaxed,
non-academic, almost conversational prose, Pryor delineates the
vast technological changes that have swept through the profession.
His aim is to illustrate how different the Middle Ages were from
the stagnant period scholars often portray it to be. In fact,
according to the author, the Middle Ages paved the way for many
modern marvels that we now take for granted. Pryor examines how the
Vikings helped Britain create trade with other countries; he looks
at the establishment of rudimentary local government outposts; and
he analyzes the flourishing of churches across the country. He is
also careful to pore over every detail dug up by recent
archaeological finds, so he spends time exploring how roads
developed into a network that still exists today and uses such
developments to emphasize that this was a period of gradual change
rather than radical transformation. For Pryor, this type of slow
progress makes the era infinitely fascinating, and although the
lack of excitement is perhaps why the period is so overlooked,
readers who have more than a passing interest in the subject should
find much to please them here.An interesting take on an age that
continues to influence the world. (Kirkus Reviews)
As in Britain B.C. and Britain A.D. (also accompanied by Channel
4 series), eminent archaeologist Francis Pryor challenges familiar
historical views of the Middle Ages by examining fresh evidence
from the ground.
The term 'Middle Ages' suggests a time between two other ages: a
period when nothing much happened. In his radical reassessment,
Francis Pryor shows that this is very far from the truth, and that
the Middle Ages (approximately 800-1550) were actually the time
when the modern world was born. This was when Britain moved from
Late Antiquity into a world we can recognize as more or less
familiar: roads and parishes became fixed; familiar institutions,
such as the church and local government, came into being; industry
became truly industrial; and international trade was now a routine
process.
Archaeology shows that the Middle Ages were far from static.
Based on everyday, often humdrum evidence, it demonstrates that the
later agricultural and industrial revolutions were not that
unexpected, given what we now know of the later medieval period.
Similarly, the explosion of British maritime power in the late
1700s had roots in the 15th century.
The book stresses continuous development at the expense of
revolution', though the Black Death (1348), which killed a third of
the population, did have a profound effect in loosening the grip of
the feudal system. Labour became scarce and workers gained power;
land became more available and the move to modern farming
began.
The Middle Ages can now be seen in a fresh light as an era of
great inventiveness, as the author examines such topics as 'upward
mobility'; the power of the Church; the role of the Guilds as
precursors of trade unions; the transport infrastructure of roads,
bridges and shipbuilders; and the increase in iron production."
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