Land of the Ilich: Journey's into Islay's Past

Description

A physical and historical journey round one of Scotland's most historically significant islands by the New York Times bestselling author of The Singing Neanderthals, After the Ice and Thirst: Water and Power in the Ancient World. As an archaeologist, Steven Mithen has worked on the Hebridean island of Islay over a period of many years. In this book he introduces the sites and monuments and tells the story of the island's people from the earliest stone age hunter-gatherers to those who lived in townships and in the grandeur of Islay House. He visits the tombs of Neolithic farmers, forts of Iron Age chiefs and castles of medieval warlords, discovers where Bronze Age gold was found, treacherous plots were made against the Scottish crown, and explores the island of today, which was forged more recently by those who mined for lead, grew flax, fished for herring and distilled whisky - the industry for which the island is best known today. Although an island history, this is far from an insular story: Islay has always been at a cultural crossroads, receiving a constant influx of new people and new ideas, making it a microcosm for the story of Scotland, Britain and beyond.

Steven Mithen is Professor of Early Prehistory at the University of Reading, having previously served as Pro Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellor. He has published widely within his field and has written a number of bestselling books, including The Singing Neanderthals, After the Ice and The Prehistory of the Mind .He was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2004.

'Not only a mighty guide to the archaeological landscape of Islay, but a thrilling microcosm of all human history' -- Joyce MacMillan * The Scotsman * '[a] deep-dive into the archaeology of the Ilich - the people of Islay... a scholarly, accessible and very pleasant read, complemented by delicate illustrations, maps, and high quality colour photographs' * Current Archaeology *