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Milestones in Archaeology

A Chronological Encyclopedia

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0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 2 weeks
0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 2 weeks
This engaging work uses key discoveries, events, people, techniques, and controversies to give the general reader a rich history of archaeology from its beginnings in the 16th century to the present.
The history of archaeology leads from the musty collections of dilettante antiquarians to high-tech science. The book identifies three major developmental periods—Birth of Archaeology (16th–18th centuries), Archaeology of Origins and Empires (19th century), and World Archaeology (20th century). An introductory essay acquaints the reader with the essence of the science for each period. The short entries comprising the balance of the book expand on the themes introduced in the essays.
Organized around personalities, techniques, controversies, and conflicts, the encyclopedia brings to life the history of archaeology. It broadens the general reader's knowledge by detailing the professional significance of widely known discoveries while introducing to wider knowledge obscure but important moments in archaeology. Archaeology is replete with the visionaries and swashbucklers of popular myth; it is also filled with careful and dedicated scientists.
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    • Library Journal

      August 1, 2007
      Murray (archaeology, La Trobe Univ., Melbourne, Australia; "Encyclopedia of Archaeology: History and Discoveries") aims for an international scope, with an emphasis on Europe and Asia, in this thoroughly researched history of archaeology. Each of its three sections"Birth of Archaeology," "Archaeology of Origins and Empires," and "World Archaeology"is introduced with a 35- to 40-page essay that discusses ideas inherent in archaeology. These essays allow Murray the chance to explore further the concepts later expressed in the case studies and address how other authors have examined the subject. Chronologically ordered, the 200 case studies (one for each essay) follow the evolution of archaeology from its 15th-century beginnings, with the preservation of ancient statuary, to the early 21st century. Suggestions for further reading and a "See also" section ending each case study offer readers additional resource information. Because the case studies are shorter (generally one to four pages) and focus on only one event in archaeological history, they will probably appeal more to casual or curious readers than will the essays. Several maps display the approximate locations of historical archaeological discoveries, while black-and-white photos show the same as well as depict archaeologists. BOTTOM LINE While the general public will find the case studies interesting, the book seems designed more for serious archaeological studies. Recommended for university libbraries supporting archaeology programs.James Langan, Univ. of Pittsburgh Lib., Johnstown

      Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • Booklist

      October 1, 2007
      La Trobe University professor MurraysMilestones in Archaeology: A Chronological Encyclopediais a hybrid between a straightforward work of reference and a narrative historiography of archaeology. It is organized into 3 sections: Archaeology before 1800, Archaeology in the Nineteenth Century, and Archaeology in the Twentieth Century and Beyond, each headlined by alengthy (approximately 40 pages) narrative survey discussing the themes and issues of each period from an archeological perspective. The period surveys are excellent, though dense, and reason enough to purchase the title. The first discussesThe Birth of Archaeology, with emphasis on the eighteenth century. The second essay, Archaeology of Origins, Nations and Empires, provides an overview of the the institutionalization of the discipline during the nineteenth century. The final essay, World Archaeology, discusses archaeologys massive expansion in the twentieth century, from the growth and divergence of schools, methods, and artifacts to the explosion of sites, research, and funding institutions. The narratives can be a difficult read for those with no archaeology background. Reader-friendly, chronologically ordered milestones (219 in all) follow each narrative, providing detailed 200- to 2,000-word accountsof specific discoveries, techniques, books, events, issues and personalities. For example, Milestones in the Nineteenth Century contains 46 entries, from the establishment of the National Museum of Denmark (1807) to German scholar Max Uhles research in Peru (18951940). The work is well indexed and includes maps and a chronological list ofthe milestones that are covered. Most of the milestones are more easily found in traditional AZ references like Murrays own Encyclopedia of Archaeology (ABC-CLIO, 2000) or the Encyclopedia of Historical Archaeology (Routledge, 2002). The organization of the current work, whileenhancing it as a historiography, hinders its reference potential. Recommended forthe circulating collection in an academic or large public library.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)

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