Prehistoric Britain (Routledge World Archaeology)

by TimothyDarvill (Author)

• New

  Hardcover
  2010

  $139.10

  Britain has been inhabited by humans for over half a million years, during which time there were a great many changes in lifestyles and in the surrounding landscape. This book examines the development of human societies in Britain from earliest times to the Roman conquest of AD 43, as revealed by archaeological evidence.

• Used

  Paperback
  1987

  $8.17

  Britain has been inhabited by man for nearly 500,000 years, during which time there have been a great many changes in lifestyles and the surrounding landscapes. Darvill examines the development of human societies in Britain from earliest times to the Roman Conquest, as revealed by archaeological evidence. Special emphasis is placed upon six themes which are traced through all phases of prehistory: subsistence, technology, ritual, trade, society and population. The background to prehistoric Britain is first presented in terms of the development of interest in the subject and the changes wrought by new techniques such as radiocarbon dating, and new theories such as the emphasis on social archaeology. The central chapters then trace the development of society from the hunter-gatherer groups of the last Ice Age, through the adoption of farming, the introduction of metalworking, on to the rise of highly organized societies living on the fringes of the mighty Roman Empire in the first century AD. Throughout, prominence is given to documenting and explaining changes within these prehistoric communities, and to exploring the regional variations found around Britain. In this way the wealth of evidence to be found in our museums is placed in its proper context. The author ends with a review of the effects of prehistoric communities on life today.

• New

  Paperback
  2010

  $43.74

  Britain has been inhabited by humans for over half a million years, during which time there were a great many changes in lifestyles and in the surrounding landscape. This book, now in its second edition, examines the development of human societies in Britain from earliest times to the Roman conquest of AD 43, as revealed by archaeological evidence. Special attention is given to six themes which are traced through prehistory: subsistence, technology, ritual, trade, society, and population. Prehistoric Britain begins by introducing the background to prehistoric studies in Britain, presenting it in terms of the development of interest in the subject and the changes wrought by new techniques such as radiocarbon dating, and new theories, such as the emphasis on social archaeology. The central sections trace the development of society from the hunter-gatherer groups of the last Ice Age, through the adoption of farming, the introduction of metalworking, and on to the rise of highly organized societies living on the fringes of the mighty Roman Empire in the 1st century AD. Throughout, emphasis is given to documenting and explaining changes within these prehistoric communities, and to exploring the regional variations found in Britain. In this way the wealth of evidence that can be seen in the countryside and in our museums is placed firmly in its proper context. It concludes with a review of the effects of prehistoric communities on life today. With over 120 illustrations, this is a unique review of Britain's ancient past as revealed by modern archaeology. The revisions and updates to Prehistoric Britain ensure that this will continue to be the most comprehensive and authoritative account of British prehistory for those students and interested readers studying the subject.