Encyclopedia of Historical Archaeology

Description

The Encyclopedia of Historical Archaeology is a ground-breaking compendium of information about the ever-growing field of historical archaeology. Historical archaeology is an inherently interesting field because it can be defined in two distinct ways. It can be defined as the archaeological investigation of any past culture that has developed a literate tradition; or it can be viewed as the study of the 'modern world', the historical and cultural conditions that have shaped our world since the 1400s. The Encyclopedia bridges these two definitions by concentrating on the post-1400 period, while at the same time including references to the more generic meaning of historical archaeology where needed. A team of over 120 experts from around the world have come together to produce a volume that contains more than 370 entries covering archaeological concepts and important sites. Entries range from 150 words for simple definitions and site identifications, to 2000 word entries for the most complex theoretical concepts. Jonathan Adams Southampton University, UK; Jane Allan Ogden Environmental and Energy Services, USA; Jim Allen, La Trobe University, Australia; Steen Andersen, Vejle Museum

Charles E. Orser is the Editor of the International Journal of Historical Archaeology and Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at Illinois State University, USA.

'Highly readable ... Most valuable for college and university libraries supporting curricula in anthropology, history, and museum studies.' - Choice 'This guide defines the field of historical archaeology and serves as an excellent introduction for students. Highly recommended for academic libraries.' - Reference Reviews, January 2003