THE RUINED CITIES OF MASHONALAND. Being a record of excavation exploration in 1891. With a chapter on the orientation and mensuration of the temples by R. M. W. Swan. Third edition. New impression.

BENT, J. THEODORE.

Published by Longmans, Green, and Co. 39 Paternoster Row., London, 1902

About this Item

8vo. 5.25 x 7.5 inches. xxix + [i] + 427 pp. + [1]. Bound in original dark maroon morocco; spine in compartments, decorated gilt. Marbled endpapers and all edges gilt with inner dentelles. A very fine copy in a well preserved presentation binding. 1915 Sunningdale School prize inscription on second free endpaper. Illustrated with whole page plates and numerous engravings in text. An account of the excavation of the Great Zimbabwe ruins, first discovered by Europeans in 1891. The DNB describes this book as Bent's 'most famous, if indeed infamous, work.' He was heavily criticised for his poor archaeological techniques and inadequate recording, but later especially for his theory of the origins of these sites, being constructed by a northern race akin to the Phoenicians coming from Arabia. This theory 'rested largely on the assumption that African people were too primitive to have sustained a society which required and could construct such complex buildings.' James Theodore Bent (1852-97), traveller and antiquary carried out his early work in Greece and Turkey. He died of malaria contracted on a visit to Southern Arabia, and his wife, who accompanied him on his journeys, including the one to Zimbabwe where she took the photographs used to engrave the plates, published the accounts of these later travels. The book was first published in 1892; this is a reprint of the third and last revised edition of 1895 in a handsome presentation school prize binding. ANTIQUES / ANTIQUITIES AFRICA ANTIQUITIES ARCHAEOLOGY 19TH CENTURY PRESENTATION ILLUSTRATED ANTIQUES / ANTIQUITIES. Seller Inventory # 22137

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE RUINED CITIES OF MASHONALAND. Being a ...

Publisher: Longmans, Green, and Co. 39 Paternoster Row., London

Publication Date: 1902

Condition: DNB