An Archaeology of Natural Places

by Richard Bradley

Overview

This volume explores why natural places such as caves, mountains, springs and rivers assumed a sacred character in European prehistory, and how the evidence for this can be analysed in the field. It shows how established research on votive deposits, rock art and production sites can contribute to a more imaginative approach to the prehistoric landscape, and can even shed light on the origins of monumental architecture. The discussion is illustrated through a wide range of European examples, and three extended case studies.
An Archaeology of Natural Places extends the range of landscape studies and makes the results of modern research accessible to a wider audience, including students and academics, field archaeologists, and those working in heritage management.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781135952891
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/15/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	9 MB

About the Author

Richard Bradley is Professor of Archaeology at Reading University. His main interests are prehistoric social and landscape archaeology and rock art. Among his recent books are The Significance of Monuments, Rock Art and the Prehistory of Atlantic Europeand Altering the Earth.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Introductions; Chapter 1 In the cave of thunder; Chapter 2 Overworlds and underworlds; Chapter 3 Nature study; Part 2 Explorations; Chapter 4 Presenting arms; Chapter 5 Seeing through stone; Chapter 6 The movement of mountains; Chapter 7 The origin of spaces; Part 3 Interpretations; Chapter 8 The history of the world; Chapter 9 Walking on water; Chapter 10 A long-playing record;

Editorial Reviews

'It will be very useful for teaching purposes. This is a lively provocative text and Bradley is to be thanked for opening up an important area for archaeologists to debate.' - Archaeology North

'This is a long-overdue work, and it is not surprising that such a perceptive archaeologist as Bradley has taken it on.' - Northern Earth

This is an immensely readable and thought-provoking book. As ever, Bradley weaves his argument with deftness ... His perceptive identification of new questions is always refreshing but most of all his discussion of these involves and challenges the reader in a way that few writers achieve so effectively - Journal of the Royal Archaeological Institute

From the Publisher