Medieval Archaeology: Understanding Traditions and Contemporary Approaches / Edition 1

by Chris Gerrard

Overview

The archaeology of the later Middle Ages is a comparatively new field of study in Britain. At a time when archaeoloy generally is experiencing a surge of popularity, our understanding of medieval settlement, artefacts, environment, buildings and landscapes has been revolutionised. Medieval archaeology is now taught widely throughout Europe and has secured a place in higer education's teaching across many disciplines. In this book Gerrard examines the long and rich intellectual heritage of later medieval archaeology in England, Scotland and Wales and summarises its current position. Written in three parts, the author first discusses the origins of antiquarian, Victorian and later studies and explores the pervasive influence of the Romantic Movement and the Gothic Revival. The ideas and achievements of the 1930s are singled out as a springboard for later methodological and conceptual developments. Part II examines the emergence of medieval archaeology as a more coherent academic subject in the post-war years, appraising major projects and explaining the impact of processual archaeology and the rescue movement in the period up to the mid-1980s. Finally the book shows the extent to which the philosophies of preservation and post-processual theoretical advances have begun to make themselves felt. Recent developments in key areas such as finds, settlements and buildings are all considered as well as practice, funding and institutional roles. Medieval Archaeology is a crucial work for students of medieval archaeology to read and will be of interest to archaeologists, historians and all who study or visit the monuments of the Middle Ages.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415234634
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/19/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Christopher Gerrard is a Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Durham. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, a member of the Institute of Field Archaeologists and Monographs Editor for the Society for Medieval Archaeology.

Table of Contents

PART 1 The discovery of ignorance 1 Inventing the Middle Ages: antiquarian views (to c.1800) 2 Lights and shadows: medievalism, the Gothic Revival and the nineteenth century (to 1882) 3 An emerging discipline: monuments, methods and ideas (1882–1945) PART 2 Into the light 4 Out of the shell: medieval archaeology comes of age (1945–1970) 5 Breaking ranks: new ideas, new techniques, the Rescue years and after (1970–1989) PART 3 Winds of change 6 Retrospect and prospect: medieval archaeology today (1990 to the present)

Editorial Reviews

'Gerrard has done a great service by producing a well-researched and clearly written account ... This is a serious contribution to medieval archaeology and one that should be read by students, archaeologists, and all those interested in the link between medieval and contemporary society.' – British Archaeology

From the Publisher