The World Encyclopedia of Archaeology: The World's Most Significant Sites and Cultural Treasures - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1554073111 ISBN 13: 9781554073115

Publisher: Firefly Books, 2007

Synopsis

The definitive reference on the art and science of archaeology.

The World Encyclopedia of Archaeology is a sweeping exploration of archaeology that spans the globe from the beginning of recorded history and earlier. Here is a comprehensive view of the past as seen through the remnants of civilizations as they emerge and expand. The book begins by defining modern and ancient archaeology and gives the history of archaeology through the centuries. The different types of archaeology are explored, along with the techniques used for each and the problems, concerns and issues archaeologists face today.

The main section of the book details each region of the world, with the authoritative text revealing the fascinating history of important archaeological sites. This global perspective includes more than 700 illustrations. The atlas section with detailed maps provides placements throughout history.

Accurate, in-depth and up to date, The World Encyclopedia of Archaeology is compelling reading. It serves as an outstanding reference for professionals, researchers, history buffs and general readers.

The World Encyclopedia of Archaeology includes:

• The first humans
• Early hunter-gatherers and farmers
• Megalithic builders
• The Bronze Age
• The Greeks and Romans
• The Dark Ages
• Ancient Mesopotamia
• The Persian Empire
• Nomadic states
• The Indus civilization
• China's dynasties and empires
• Japan and Southeast Asian kingdoms
• Early Mesoamericans
• The Maya, Aztec and Inca
• Ancient Egypt and the Upper Nile
• Iron Age Africa
• Australian Aborigines.

Highlights:

• Compiled and written by an international team of archaeologists and historians
• Reveals the most up-to-date findings and their significance
• Organized geographically by region and key sites
• Uncovers the world's most important sites and treasures
• Spans all periods of human settlement
• Locator guide to sites by country
• List of World Heritage Sites
• 18 special features focus on intriguing topics
• Further readings and a glossary
• More than 700 color illustrations
• Attractive maps that show locations of key sites.

About this title

About the Author:

Dr. Aedeen Cremin is an archaeologist and a visiting Fellow at the Australian National University at Canberra. She is the general editor of Historic Environment, the author of The Celts in Europe and the co-author of Australia's Age of Iron.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Foreword

In archaeology; every day brings new discoveries. Archaeologists are constantly "rewriting history," building upon a body of reliable knowledge to retell the human story in its amazing diversity; This tale continually unfolds with new and intriguing twists, some of which are published here for the first time.

This book reflects what archaeology does best: it gives a voice to the people without written history, be it the tragic young Inca girls sacrificed in the capacocha, or the anonymous craftsmen who glazed the bricks of Susa in Iran. We can learn about and feel with our fellow humans in everyday activities to which we can all relate. It is fun to work through the book by theme -- the environment, clothing, food, architecture, religion -- or by time: what was happening around the world during the mid-winter solstice 4,000 years ago?

The answer is here before your very eyes. This is the first great lesson of archaeology: history is out there, you need only look for it and you will certainly find it. The past is not gone; it is here, and now. The second great lesson is that the human past is our shared story -- it belongs to us all and we all have a duty of care, a duty to cherish the information and antiquities that archaeologists have worked so hard to record, analyze, and conserve.

More than 40 archaeologists, historians, and cultural anthropologists from around the world have contributed to this book, all of them active in their fields-guaranteeing that the information is as up to date as it can be. The great mysteries of the world -- the Easter Island statues, the Nazca Lines, Stonehenge, the pyramids of Mexico -- are not demystified; on the contrary, they are put into their context, which makes them seem even more remarkable.

Dr. Aedeen Cremin

About this edition

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1554073111
• ISBN 13: 9781554073115
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 400
• Editor: Cremin Dr. Aedeen