Michael
Oct 19th 2008, 04:24 PM
Synthesising results from excavations, surveys, studies of great monuments and astonishing new finds to make sense of past human achievements is the duty of every archaeologist. In this Barry Cunliffe is a master craftsman, and Europe between the Oceans is an attractively produced masterpiece that deserves to be read by everyone with an interest in Europe's ancient peoples.
Exploring cultural change over a period of 10,000 years is a strength and a challenge. Starting at 9000BC neatly sidesteps the problems of hominin evolution and recurrent colonisation of the northern hemisphere, for the last Ice Age is over by this time and only anatomically modern humans occupy the land. Equally, AD1000 marks the moment when Europe takes on a modern appearance. The two Christian power blocs of Byzantium in the east and the Frankish Empire in the west separate the Muslim world in the south from the turmoil of folk movements and state formation in the north and east. Between these dates is the real archaeology of Europe; the rest, Cunliffe quips, "is history".
Book Review (http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=403141&c=1)
This book looks very interesting to me and I will probably hunt this one down and buy it. I just thought I'd share this little review here for anyone interested.
I'm not sure if there's anything here worthy of a discussion, but feel free if something moves you!
Exploring cultural change over a period of 10,000 years is a strength and a challenge. Starting at 9000BC neatly sidesteps the problems of hominin evolution and recurrent colonisation of the northern hemisphere, for the last Ice Age is over by this time and only anatomically modern humans occupy the land. Equally, AD1000 marks the moment when Europe takes on a modern appearance. The two Christian power blocs of Byzantium in the east and the Frankish Empire in the west separate the Muslim world in the south from the turmoil of folk movements and state formation in the north and east. Between these dates is the real archaeology of Europe; the rest, Cunliffe quips, "is history".
Book Review (http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=403141&c=1)
This book looks very interesting to me and I will probably hunt this one down and buy it. I just thought I'd share this little review here for anyone interested.
I'm not sure if there's anything here worthy of a discussion, but feel free if something moves you!