Sandy Pylos : an archaeological history from Nestor to Navarino /

This fascinating volume presenting the results of the Pylos Regional Archaeological Project (PRAP) represents a radical departure for the publication of archaeological surveys because it is intended for nonspecialists. Previous publications of archaeological work in Messenia (notably Blegen et al. on the Palace of Nestor at Pylos, Valmin on the Swedish Messenia Expedition, and McDonald et al. on the Minnesota Messenia Project and Nichoria) have been detailed scholarly tomes. This eminently readable and informative collection summarizes earlier excavation, survey, and textual work and makes clear the contribution of the current project. Chapters on the environment and history of investigation are followed by chronological overviews by period: Late Bronze Age, Archaic and Classical, Hellenistic and Roman, Medieval, and Ottoman. Each chapter contains several short, focused essays on some aspect of the period, like Linear B, the Battle of Sphacteria, Byzantine Sgraffito Ware, or a survey site. The subjects selected for attention might seem quirky, but they are lively and move the nonspecialist beyond the study of site and object to a richer understanding of the history and lives of past people. Highly recommended for all academic libraries. L. P. Day; Wabash College