Archaeology, history and science : integrating approaches to ancient materials /

This edited volume emphasizes a three-field approach to studying ancient and historic materials, with each case study incorporating aspects of archaeology, history (textual evidence), and scientific analyses. The contributing authors include top experts in archaeological science who specialize in stone, ceramics, glass, and metal. The essays are generally related to technology studies, but range from Bronze Age to medieval contexts throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. The general theme of these papers is to emphasize the importance and benefits of incorporating science and ancient texts in the study of archaeological materials. This interdisciplinary approach is not new, but there is a tendency in archaeological science to overlook or dismiss ancient texts, and this deficiency is addressed here. Furthermore, contributing authors address many of the limitations and concerns for each aspect of this three-field approach. Such a critical review of each avenue of information makes this book unique and an important contribution to the field of archaeological science. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers. L. D. Frame University of Arizona