Discovering Our Past: A Brief Introduction to Archaeology (Second Edition) by Wendy Ashmore and Robert J. Sharer.
DESCRIPTION: Softcover: 266 pages. Publisher: Mayfield Publishing Company; (1995). ISBN: 1559345217. As children many of us learn to associate archaeologists with adventurous exploits and searches for long-lost civilizations in exotic places. As adults, our associations of archaeology with adventure are often strengthened when we see and hear stories in the media about fantastic archaeological finds. But what is it that archaeologists actually do on a normal day in the field? This book corrects some of the popular myths about archaeologists and archaeology and explains what archaeologists really do, and how they do it.
The book begins then with a brief overview of archaeology, how it grew of the past few centuries, and how archaeologists today use various means to attempt o discover the past. The remainder of the book is organized to follow the steps of actual archaeological research. Beginning with the formulation of questions that define the goals of each research effort, we then look at the methods used to gather and analyze archaeological evidence, how archaeologists interpret this evidence, and how they present results to other archaeologists and the public. The book closes with a discussion of the challenges faced by archaeologists, and how we might reconcile the needs of archaeologists and other concerned groups who have an interest in the past.
CONDITION: Some edge-wear, crease on upper corner, glue residue on back, tears on spine on bottom of cover, light soiling on side of closed pages, otherwise clean inside and in good condition.
PLEASE SEE IMAGES BELOW FOR JACKET DESCRIPTION(S) AND FOR PAGES OF PICTURES FROM INSIDE OF BOOK.
PLEASE SEE PUBLISHER, PROFESSIONAL, AND READER REVIEWS BELOW.
REVIEW: In the middle of an otherwise undistinguished grassy plain, near Loch Roag on one of Scotland's Shetland Islands, stands a cluster of monolithic stones, precisely shaped and simply arranged. This elegantly mysterious and awe-inspiring array of stones is Callanish. Is it a monument constructed as a beacon for UFO's, as some have suggested? A temple for Druid sacrificial ceremonies? An ancient astrological computer? An elaborate grave marker? What approach do archaeologists use to interpret sites such as Callendish scientifically? How are archaeological sites discovered and studied? How is archaeological data used to reconstruct and understand the past?
In "Discovering Our Past", a brief version of "Archaeology" by Sharer and Ashmore, the authors explain in a straightforward manner the methods and theories that modern-day archaeologists employ in the field and in the lab. Engagingly written with an eye toward recent research, "Discovering Our Past" presents information within the context of an ideal research plan. From sites around the globe, examples of archaeological research reveal exactly how and why archaeologists conduct their work.
Chapter 3 has been recast and updated to include discussions of post-processual archaeology and mentions of other approaches such as Marxist and feminist perspectives on archaeology. Chapter 6 contains an expanded section on ecofacts, and soils and sediments. Chapter 7 contains updated sections on dating. Chapter 8 includes an expanded section on settlement archaeology that includes new research at Çatalhöyük and in Peru's Upper Mantaro Valley. The role of whole landscapes also figures prominently in this discussion. Chapter 9 includes a new section that looks at the development of agriculture from multiple perspectives including the three major perspectives introduced in Chapter 3. Chapter 10 introduces a new section on the effects of nationalism, colonialism, and war. A discussion of the New York African Burial Ground is included in the section "Working with Descendant Communities".
REVIEW: Brief and highly engaging, this introduction to the fundamental principles of method and theory in archaeology is ideal for those completely new to the subject. It begins an introduction to archaeology and archaeologists. Subsequent topics include archaeology's past; contemporary approaches to archaeology; how archaeology works; fieldwork; analyzing the past; dating the past; reconstruction the past; understanding the past; and archaeology today. The material considers the basic concepts of culture, time, and space, and the finding and excavation of archaeological sites. This is perfect for anyone who wants a brief, accessible introduction to the concepts and methods of archaeology.
REVIEW: A brief introduction to the techniques, methods, and theoretical frameworks of contemporary archaeology. Derived from the authors' "Archaeology: Discovering Our Past", this book follows the same organizing principle. The text begins with descriptions of two dramatically significant archaeological events: the opening of a royal tomb at Sipan, Peru, and the looting of a Native American site at Slack Farm, Kentucky. Archaeological methods and theory are covered comprehensively, at a reasonable level of detail, in under 300 pages. Illustrative examples and case studies present a temporal and geographic balance of both Old and New World sites. Methods and theories are presented in the context of an ideal research plan, with an organization that follows the process of archaeological research from formulating an idea to interpreting data. The three major theoretical frameworks - culture history, cultural process and contextual approaches - are analyzed, and examples and case studies represent a temporal and geographic balance of Old and New World sites. Abundant student aids include maps of archaeological areas, extensive illustrations, chapter introductions and summaries, a guide to further reading at the end of each chapter, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index.
REVIEW: I'm currently a student and I'm taking an "Introduction to Archaeology" course because I've always been interested in learning a little bit about archaeology. This is the book that I have to use for my class and most of the time I dread having to read the books in any of my classes, but this book is an exception. Even if I wasn't taking the course in college, I would enjoy reading this book. It gives you an overview of what archaeologists do for a living and tells of many excavations and other archaeological discoveries. Unlike most textbooks, it not only gives definitions and gives information about the subject, but it tells stories that will interest you and actually make you want to read the book for a change. If you want to learn about what archaeology is about, I recommend reading this book. It has a lot of good information and it's interesting.
REVIEW: Have you ever wondered how pieces of long lost civilizations find a home in museums? Perhaps a dashing hero discovered them while escaping enemies? No. Real archaeologists spend countless hours researching information on a particular subject and only then does on-site excavation begin. This book is for those that want to know more. The authors here take a subject that many are interested in and actually put it into perspective. Most people don't understand the numerous factors that are involved in archaeology. The book provides a wonderful introduction to those willing to get their feet wet. I highly recommend this book to the armchair archaeologists that want to know more about the craft and science.
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Most of the items I offer come from the collection of a family friend who was active in the field of Archaeology for over forty years. However many of the items also come from purchases I make in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) from various institutions and dealers. Though I have always had an interest in archaeology, my own academic background was in sociology and cultural anthropology. After my retirement however, I found myself drawn to archaeology as well. Aside from my own personal collection, I have made extensive and frequent additions of my own via purchases on Ebay (of course), as well as many purchases from both dealers and institutions throughout the world - but especially in the Near East and in Eastern Europe. I spend over half of my year out of the United States, and have spent much of my life either in India or Eastern Europe. In fact much of what we generate on Yahoo, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe connected with Anthropology and Archaeology.
I acquire some small but interesting collections overseas from time-to-time, and have as well some duplicate items within my own collection which I occasionally decide to part with. Though I have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, my primary interest is in ancient jewelry. My wife also is an active participant in the "business" of antique and ancient jewelry, and is from Russia. I would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from me. There is a $2 fee for mailing under separate cover. Whenever I am overseas I have made arrangements for purchases to be shipped out via domestic mail. If I am in the field, you may have to wait for a week or two for a COA to arrive via international air mail. But you can be sure your purchase will arrive properly packaged and promptly - even if I am absent. And when I am in a remote field location with merely a notebook computer, at times I am not able to access my email for a day or two, so be patient, I will always respond to every email. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE."
