Product Description
"The first comprehensive, scholarly look at the artifactual evidence of real pirates, recovered at both shipwrecks and known pirate bases."--Archaeology Magazine

"The reader unused to digesting professional publications will, pardon the pun, sail through this book as if it were a collection of novellas!Not only will he/she learn about the realities of trade in the Caribbean and politics in the time of pirates, but will be treated to the most interesting bits of ephemera such as an inventory of the legendary Captain Morgan's estate.This is the definitive book on Pirates and the research being done to dispel all of the fables."--Dirtbrothers.org

"Articles in X Marks the Spot cover a wide range of pirate wrecks and legacies from the Golden Age of Piracy, and give the reader a glimpse into what might be the reality of pirate life and death."--Archaeology.about.com

"A serious attempt to determine, through examination of both terrestrial and shipwreck sites, if pirates left such unambiguous traces in the archaeological record that their presence can be recognized in future excavations. Fascinating!"--George F. Bass, founder, Insitute of Nautical Archaeology

"Piracy is one of the world's oldest professions on the water. In this volume, a group of leading scholars literally digs into the subject to offer the first comprehensive archaeological look at pirates. . . . The definitive book on the archaeology of piracy."--James P. Delgado, executive director, Vancouver Maritime Museum

This collection piques the imagination with historical evidence about the actual exploits of pirates as revealed in the archaeological record.The recent discovery of the wreck of Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge, off Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, has provoked scientists to ask, What is a pirate? Were pirates sea-going terrorists, lawless rogues who plundered, smuggled, and illegally transported slaves, or legitimate corsairs and privateers?Highlighting such pirate vessels as the Speaker, which sailed in the Indian Ocean, and the Whydah, the first pirate ship discovered in North America (near the tip of Cape Cod), the contributors analyze what constitutes a pirate ship and how it is different from a contemporary merchant or naval vessel.

Examining excavated underwater "treasure sites" and terrestrial pirate lairs found off the coast of Madagascar, throughout the Caribbean, and within the United States, the authors explore the romanticized "Golden Age of Piracy," a period brimming with the real-life exploits of Captain Kidd, Blackbeard, Henry Morgan, and the "gentleman pirate" Jean Lafitte.This book will appeal to the general public, with special interest to anthropologists, archaeologists, historians, and divers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Current status of pirate underwater archaeology
X Marks the Spot is a great overview of the current status of underwater archaeological investigations of pirate shipwrecks, based on a very limited number of known sites.The chapters provide true insight of the archaeology of pirate's ships, and discussion of what would be expected to identify such vessels from their merchant vessel counterparts.

Serious archaeology yet readable
This book covers significant archaeological digs related to the golden age of piracy. It is well documented throughout and it is also very easy and enjoyable to read. ... Read more

Product Description
Oliver Dickinson has written a scholarly, accessible and up-to-date introduction to the prehistoric civilizations of Greece. The Aegean Bronze Age saw the rise and fall of the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations. The cultural history of the region emerges through a series of thematic chapters that treat settlement, economy, crafts, exchange and foreign contact, and religion and burial customs. Students and teachers will welcome this book, but it will also provide the ideal companion for amateur archaeologists visiting the Aegean. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Bronze Age
Dickinson has put together a wonderful and thorough text.It can be hard to read in some places and with references to miscellaneous materials inserted into the middle of sentences.All-in-all, wonderful research material or advanced text, but too extensive for a beginner text.

First rate
A well written book using up to date discoveries in archeology. Indeed the archeological evidence presented in this book is quite good focusing not only on man made artifacts but burial customs.
To my mind the subject of trade is key to this book.
It is written a scholarly fashion yet is approachable. From the archeological evidence theories are offered but the authors do not force any one position but offer them all in a level headed fashion.
You will find yourself reading it from cover to cover but cherishing it as a reference.

well documented review of Aegean Bronze Age archaeology
I found this book very helpfull while studing Aegean Prehistory in University. Comprehensive and well documented with some very helpfull plates gives a summary of Aegean Bronze Age archaeological data. Enters not so mutch in details but covers many aspects of the vast Bronze Age data of Aegean. I would strongly suggest this book for archaeology students interested in the Aegean region

Good Solid Survey Book
This was an excellent overall survey of the material, and a great reference work that can be return to again and again, to harden up on the facts, and to get titles of other books and journal articles on each of thespecific subject areas.It can at times get a little confusing, with theavalanche of place names and the vagueness with which he describes many ofthe artefacts, but you still come out knowing a heck of alot more than youdid before going in.Also, he has no particular axe to grind--no bigtheories that can be so annoying in this field.Overall, an excellentbook. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

A New Essential Reference with wide-ranging themes
This is certainly one of the most useful collections of essay discussing the problems facing contextual study of antiquity and the illicit trade in antiquities.Important topics explored include: looting in Iraq and the movement of objects from that region to western markets; the processes that occur within the trade and an analysis of dealer arguments that the trade is legitimate and unharmful and the clever circumnavigation of various laws; and finally, some that discuss the motivations for collecting and the need forcooperation between polarized factions (professionals/academics/archaeologists and collectors/dealers).

Excelent overview of contemporary issues
This volume gives a great overview of current issues relating to the antiquities trade and the threat that it poses to cultural heritage across the world. Many of the case studies are extremely recent, demonstrating the urgency of the problem, a must for anyone to read who cares about the world's finite heritage resource. ... Read more

Product Description
Archaeology has made enormous advances recently, both in volume of discoveries and in its character as an intellectual discipline; new techniques have helped to further the range and rigour of enquiry, and encouraged interdisciplinary communication. The aim of this series is to make available to a wider audience the results of these developments. The coverage will be world-wide and will extend from the earliest period to medieval and industrial archaeology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a classic reissued but what's with the photos?
The original hardcover edition was published in 1978.It was reissued in paperback in 2004 when it was digitally printed.Unfortunately that process seems have ruined the quality of the photos so they look like high-quality xeroxes instead of photos, a bit washed out.So it would be worth your while to get the hardcopy version if good photos are important to you.

But otherwise it would be an asset to any underwater archaeology library, especially if you're interested in interpreting wreck processes. ... Read more

Product Description
This brief, inexpensive introduction to the techniques, methods, and theoretical frameworks of contemporary archaeology follows the same organizing principle as the text Archaeology: Discovering Our Past but features less detail. 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. 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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

too much highlight
I didn't know there was this much highlight when i brought it. If i would have known, i wouldn't have brought it.

The authors got their degrees at Kinkos
This time you do need to judge a book by its cover. On my copy there is a picture of The Ring of Brodgar which is located on the Isle of Orkney in Scotland. The back of the book states the following: "In the middle of an otherwise undistinguished grassy plain,near Loch Roag on one of Scotland's Shetland Islands, stands a cluster of stones, precisely shaped and simply arranged. This elegantly mysterious and awe-inspiring arra of standing stones is "Callanish" Okaaay... Callanish is located on the isle of Harris/Lewis, not Shetland Island. The Ring of Brodgar is on the cover of the book, but not actually mentioned in the book. Loch Roag is not on Shetland either, it too is located on the isle of Harris/Lewis. If they can't get those simple facts straight, I shudder to think of what they got wrong in the book. And this is a second edition of the book! Think of all the students they have mislead!! I think someone needs to tell them that a degree from Kinko's is not the same as a degree from college. Don't waste your time and money on this book. I bet the authors are from Québec in Canada. How else can you explain the inaccuracies of this book?

Not like most college textbooks
I'm currently a student and i'm taking an Introducion 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 ofthe time I dread having to read the books in any of my classes, but thisbook is an exception.Even if I wasn't taking the course in college, Iwould enjoy reading this book.

It gives you an overview of whatarchaeologists do for a living and tells of many excavations and otherarchaeological discoveries.Unlike most textbooks, it not only givesdefinitions and gives information about the subject, but it tells storiesthat will interest you and actually make you want to read the book for achange.

If you want to read about what archaeology is about, Irecommend reading this book.It has a lot of good information and it'sinteresting. ... Read more

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Product Description
A popular introduction to archaeology and the methods archaeologists use to reconstruct the history of ancient Israel. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Very informative
I am training to be a docent at a cultural center and museum that features an archeological dig among the various exhibitions.This book is proving to be most informative and useful in preparing me to be knowledgable and prepared.

Changing Over Time
It is asserted often that the results of archaeology are empirical, can be assured, or can be verified. After one reads John Currid's "basic guide," one can see why many past conclusions are no longer accepted and why there is a great debate among archaeologists today about what archaeology has proven. Archaeology is a discipline which continues to learn.

Currid tells the story of how archaeology of the land of the Bible began in 1838 when Edward Robinson and Eli Smith traveled the Middle East and identified many biblical sites based upon their modern names. In 1890 William Flinders Petrie began the development of stratio-graphy and its inherent notion that each occupational layer of a mound could be dated by its pottery. After WW II Kathleen Kenyon revolutionized archaeology by digging in small squares within a grid.

So, of course as methods change, conclusions change.

Currid has written a book for someone who has little prior knowledge of archaeology. One thing that is missing is a chapter on Ground Penetrating Radar. It is interesting to read, but as the subtitle says, it is a basic guide.

An informed & concise introduction...
This is a great little book (128 p.) that aims to instruct neophyte archaeologists in the history and core concepts of biblical archaeology. Given the length of the book, it's obvious that nothing is covered exhaustively. But that's not the aim of the book. Currid answers "what is Biblical archaeology?", then follows with a brief history of the field outlining the different techniques and approaches over the past 2 centuries. He then discusses, in individual chapters, the importance and structure of tells (mounds = habitation), land surveying, site identification, the process of excavation, data collection methods, data interpretation, the importance of pottery in archaeology, the philosophy of pottery chronology, the importance of small finds (anything non-pottery), and finally buildings and structures. He keenly closes the book by applying and integrating the concepts discussed in the previous chapters to the archaeology currently being undertaken at Bethsaida. This final chapter is extremely interesting as he shows the importance of each element in acquiring and interpreting data. A helpful B&W map is found early in the book, on which I was able to find all but 1 or 2 of the many sites he mentions. Closeby the map page is a small table showing the breakdown of the various ages (Bronze, Iron, etc.) and their respective date ranges. Several picures are included that assist in understanding vital concepts. Archaeological terms discussed in the text are defined further in inset boxes on the same page. The book is very well done, and perfect for those interested in biblical archaeology (which everyone should be), but uneducated in the basics of the field. Highly recommended. ... Read more

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This one-of-a-kind presentation of the New Testament world and its archaeological treasures provides a new, more complete understanding of the world in which Christianity was born. Through lavish photographs, architectural plans, extensive maps, and detailed charts, you can explore the landscape of Nazareth where Jesus grew up; sit at the shores of Galilee where he preached; and enter the streets and temple of Jerusalem where his ministry was fulfilled. An experienced archaeologist and biblical expert will guide you throughout your journey around Israel and beyond—on the Mediterranean voyages of Paul to the homes and synagogues of the Roman Empire, where he planted the seeds of Christianity. Visit Emperor Nero's "Golden House," witness the desperation of the Jewish revolutionaries at Masada, and explore the magnificent basilicas of Constantine the Great.

Customer Reviews (2)

The best available
This book has the best collection of photos that is available for the study of the New Testament. The author explains everything from how archaeology works to what the new discoveries mean for Christians and interested readers of the Bible. It is great that every page has illustrations, maps, and photos. You can really see what the authors of the New Testament were talking about. Reed includes lots of stories from his own experience as an archaeologist in the Holy Land. Great study guide for people interested in knowing more about Jesus and St. Paul.

Outstanding overview
Reed's book makes for both entertaining and educational reading. Going in, I had some general knowledge of critical biblical scholarship, but practically no knowledge of what archeology in the holy lands can actually tell us. I came away with a great appreciation of both the importance and limitations of biblical archeology.

This book is at its absolute best when it describes the context for the creation of particular New Testament texts. Its treatment of the origin of Revelation is extremely enlightening for example. I did, however, occasionally want him to be a little more critical of the historicity of the accounts in the biblical texts themselves. Instead he maintains caution, which is certainly understandable even if a little frustrating.

Overall an excellent read.
... Read more

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This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

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The definitive reference on the art and science of archaeology.

The World Encyclopedia of Archaeology is a sweeping exploration of archaeology that spans the globe from the beginning of recorded history and earlier. Here is a comprehensive view of the past as seen through the remnants of civilizations as they emerge and expand. The book begins by defining modern and ancient archaeology and gives the history of archaeology through the centuries. The different types of archaeology are explored, along with the techniques used for each and the problems, concerns and issues archaeologists face today.

The main section of the book details each region of the world, with the authoritative text revealing the fascinating history of important archaeological sites. This global perspective includes more than 700 illustrations. The atlas section with detailed maps provides placements throughout history.

Accurate, in-depth and up to date, The World Encyclopedia of Archaeology is compelling reading. It serves as an outstanding reference for professionals, researchers, history buffs and general readers.

The World Encyclopedia of Archaeology includes:

• The first humans
• Early hunter-gatherers and farmers
• Megalithic builders
• The Bronze Age
• The Greeks and Romans
• The Dark Ages
• Ancient Mesopotamia
• The Persian Empire
• Nomadic states
• The Indus civilization
• China's dynasties and empires
• Japan and Southeast Asian kingdoms
• Early Mesoamericans
• The Maya, Aztec and Inca
• Ancient Egypt and the Upper Nile
• Iron Age Africa
• Australian Aborigines.

Highlights:

• Compiled and written by an international team of archaeologists and historians
• Reveals the most up-to-date findings and their significance
• Organized geographically by region and key sites
• Uncovers the world's most important sites and treasures
• Spans all periods of human settlement
• Locator guide to sites by country
• List of World Heritage Sites
• 18 special features focus on intriguing topics
• Further readings and a glossary
• More than 700 color illustrations
• Attractive maps that show locations of key sites.

Customer Reviews (3)

Archaeological Tour d'Horizon
"The World Encyclopedia of Archaeology" can be reasonably classified as a "Coffee Table" book, and that label is not intended to be pejorative (even if the ancient skeleton prominently displayed on the cover could be a bit off-putting to some).

This comprehensive book encompasses some 150 archaeological sites around the world, all accompanied by an outstanding set of well-captioned photographs, maps and drawings. Archaeological enthusiasts will immediately recognize the few dozen well-known ancient sites, but there are many more off-the-beaten-track that will be new to most readers. Each is set around a one- or two-page narrative, which is necessarily very brief, and yet not superficial. I was impressed to note that for the entries with which I am personally familiar, the descriptive text skillfully captured the essence of the site and its archaeological significance.

This book should be of interest to a wide audience, from younger readers as an excellent introduction to the artifacts of the ancient world, to experienced travelers who may be seeking exotic new places to visit.

Great for college kids and studying!
I bought this for my brother who is studying Archaeology and Anthropology. It was recommended to me by a few local college professors that teach the subject. It is good reading and can be used a reference for many years to come, in the field or just at home.

A Quality Purchase!
This book is everything I expected. If you are interested at all in archaeology then you definitely should buy this book. It is full of interesting pictures and articles about almost every dig known to mankind. Amazon did a great job getting it to me and I am very pleased with this purchase. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the most wide-ranging, comprehensive, and up-to-date dictionary of archaeology available. Over 4,000 A-Z entries explain the terms encountered in academic and popular archaeological literature, in lectures, and on television. Topics covered include artifacts, techniques, terminology, people, sites, and periods, and specialist areas such as industrial and maritime archaeology. This second edition is fully revised and updated, with 150 new entries on archaeological sites, terms, movements, and people, plus extended coverage of archaeological resource management and archaeological theory. While the dictionary's primary focus is on Europe, the Old World, and the Americas, as these are the regions where archaeology has become best established, it also includes key archaeological sites around the world. A quick-reference section covers chronological periods, Egyptian rulers and dynasties, Roman rulers and dynasties, rulers of England to AD 1066, and principal international conventions and recommendations. New to this edition are recommended, up-to-date web links for over 100 entries on the Dictionary of Archaeology companion website, regularly updated to keep links completely current. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

helpful though
it helps me translating into french articles of scholars in the fields of archaeology and egyptology, I'm fond of.
though I must look elsewhere, for articles are very technical, and numbers of terms don't appear. ... Read more

Product Description
This innovative work of historical archaeology illuminates the genesis of the Californios, a community of military settlers who forged a new identity on the northwest edge of Spanish North America. Since 1993, Barbara L. Voss has conducted archaeological excavations at the Presidio of San Francisco, founded by Spain during its colonization of California's central coast. Her research at the Presidio forms the basis for this rich study of cultural identity formation, or ethnogenesis, among the diverse peoples who came from widespread colonized populations to serve at the Presidio. Through a close investigation of the landscape, architecture, ceramics, clothing, and other aspects of material culture, she traces shifting contours of race and sexuality in colonial California. ... Read more

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This reference tool shows how archaeological discoveries in Bible lands have helped to confirm the accuracy of Scripture and give understanding to it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Archaeology and Bible History
I am happy with the book I ordered and the speed in which it was shipped. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

The Bible of Florida Archaeology
This book, published in 1994, is still the standard reference for anyone wanting to understand the archaeology of the Native American cultures of Florida up to the time of European contact in the early 1500's.

Dr. Milanich begins with the earliest Native American cultures known in Florida (or anywhere in the Americas), the Paleoindians, arriving more than 12,000 years ago.He traces the growth of Native American cultures through the Early, Middle, and Late Archaic periods, and examines what we know of the cultures of northern, central, and southern Florida - ending with the St. Johns II, Fort Walton, Safety Harbor, and Caloosahatchee cultures, which were, respectively, the Timucuan, Apalachee, Tocobaga, and Calusa known to us from the historic records.

Milanich is extremely readable, and his work provides clear, fascinating, and important detail about each of the cultures known to archaeology from this entire region.For those who mistakenly think Florida's Native cultures were limited to the Seminoles, this book shows how the peoples of Florida, the first in all North America to encounter Europeans, were among the most powerful and complex societies north of the peoples of Mesoamerica.

Whether you're an archaeologist or historian specializing in studies of the people of this region, or a general reader with an interest in Native American culture and history - buy this book.It's excellent and enjoyable reading. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Comments by Michael Calum Jacques author of '1st Century Radical'.
Published around July, 2006 and weighing in at over 760 pages, 'Jesus and Archaeology' constitutes a major contribution to the title's field by a scholar with a distinguished pedigree. James H Charlesworth is perhaps best known for being closely involved with research and publishing in connection with the Dead Sea Scrolls, indeed, he heads the team of DDS scholars at Princeton Theological Seminary.

The archaeological sites covered within 'Jesus and Archeology' are mainly situated within Jerusalem, Galilee and Samaria; the work contains discussions and explanations of some of the various techniques employed by modern day archaeologists and historians. This is a very useful and quite considerable one-volume fund which will be usefully and possibly frequently dipped into by scholars, expositors and lay folk alike. It is logically presented and quite readable, even for non-specialists in this area.

Some previous reviewers - within critical circles - have questioned precisely how much genuinely fresh light is cast upon the First Century culture of Jesus and his contemporaries within this work, but few can question the progress outlined on the Qumran sites and at various other sites within and around the Jerusalem Old City - it was only quite recently, after all, that the exact location of the pool of Siloam was found and settled upon. Further north, sites about Galilee continue to illuminate and illustrate aspects of ancient Jewish Palestinian life under Roman occupation - such as the adoption of Roman imagery and iconography by certain sectors of the Jewish upper class strata (if indeed such termas themselves are not exssentially anachronistic)!

As this reviewer has already indicated, he is convinced that the majority of readers with anything like a committed interest in the question of Palestinian antiquity and it's relationship to and with Jesus of Nazareth - and it's difficult to imagine anybody considering purchasing this book, who is not genuinely interested in its field of study - will find it to be a useful source to refer to again and again. It is not a work for the dilettante, but neither is it inaccessible by any means.

Michael Calum Jacques

Biblical Archaeology in Understanding the Life and Teachings of Jesus

"The 'quest for the historical Jesus' has returned and is currently generating more publications than at any time in the history of scholarship. The central issue is the question of what can be reliably asserted about the person of Jesus..." Mark Powell, Issues in Jesus Research and Scholarship



Jesus Research, Conference & Book:
An international team of thirty experts, archaeologists and biblical scholars, Jewish and Christian, joinedthe eminent Princeton director of the Dead Sea Scrolls project, in Jerusalem, to discuss the recent discoveries and revelations of archaeology about the life and ministry of Jesus, his world, and its historical setup and religious milieu. These and related questions in this volume that stems from the millenium conference on Jesus and Archaeology, in 2000 CE. The papers of the symposium, edited and reviewed into book chapters, notes were completed and glossary compiled. This took more than a year, with significant computer assistance.

The Historical Jesus Quest:
No serious attempts have been made to learn about the Jesus of history but only recently. Hermann Reimarus, a German scholar has started in 1774 the first quest for the historical Jesus. This was followed by a surge of interest in the "religious personality" of Jesus in the 1800's. Criticism of that quest culminated earlier last century with the writings of Rudolph Bultmann, who tried to separate Christ from the historical Jesus. "There is nothing more negative than the result of the critical study of the life of Jesus," said Dr. Albert Schweitzer, a key figure in the early "quest for the historical Jesus.' Despite how often the question of recovering the Jesus of history has been declared hopeless, it has nevertheless generated a vast literary additions.Even the Pontificial Gregorian University, the highest Catholic institute of theological learning, has invited prof. James Charlesworth to offer a course in 2005, on 'The Historical Jesus: History, Arcaeology, Theology, and christology.

Jesus and Biblical Archaeology:
Biblical Archaeology is a powerful reconstruction tool in understanding the life and teachings of Jesus, son of Joseph as referred to in John's Gospel (Jn 1:45, and 6:42) Dr. Charlesworth preaches the relevance of asking related questions, to reply to a debated Christian one:
"Why did the Jewish nation closely associated with Jesus of Nazareth claim within ten years of his crucifixion in 30 C.E. that he indeed was the promised Messiah?"In Prof. Charlesworth own words, "The study of Jesus begins with theological texts, the intra-canonical Gospels. These are clearly shaped by the desire to proclaim that Jesus from (of) Nazareth is the Christ (the Messiah) and that one should believe in him as the Savior."
He selected few of 'stellar questions' are all about archaeological evidence, or geographical confirmations to biblical locations, activities, artifacts, etc. Those inquire about Nazareth, Cana, Bethsaida, Sepphoris, Jerusalem, the Temple, the synagogues, and data on Caiaphas, Pilate, Simon of Cyrene, and many others. He concludes that, "Obviously, we will always have more questions than answers.

A New Perspective:
After a concise introduction by A. Biran, 'Jesus Research and Archaeology' is given a new perspective by the eminent New Testament scholar. This is the core of the 'Jesus Research Symposium.' He clarifies the methodology of the 'Jesus Research' as primarily inquisitive. This is a monograph that reveals Charlesworth's expertise in depth and breadth, in addition to NT languages and literature, his unparalleled works on the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old and NT, the Qumran Scrolls and the Coptic Gnostic writings. Not only did he introduce systematically the new research, but he recounts in an engaging style the archaeological discoveries on the Essene gate, the Galilean boat, the Herodium, and Peters house, and sepphoris theater between many others.His photos proves him a talented photographer!

Archaeology and Theology:
It would not be feasible to comment on more essays, but I would consider part II of this collective work the most significant for Jesus inquisitive readers. U. von Walde's, 'Archaeology and John's Gospel' lengthy study does challenge the reader to upgrade and integrate his/her understanding of the gospel which has been always the theological cornerstone of orthodox Christology of Athanasius & Cyril of Alexandria.
Prof. Emile Puech wrote a compelling essay on the core of Christian belief, Resurrection Faith, starting from early Jewish beliefs in the Qumranic texts. He gracefully proceeds from the Damascus Document, discovered earlier in the Cairo Genieza, through the Thanksgiving hymns to the Messianic Apocalypse on Resurrection.

Dr. James H. Charlesworth (Ph.D., ET, Litt.D.), is Princeton's George L. Collord Professor of New Testament Language and Literature, has written and edited over 60 books on the New Testament, Dead Sea Scrolls, and other Jewish literature. He is also Director of the Dead Sea Scrolls Project, which is preparing the text, critical apparatus, introduction, and translation of all the non-biblical Dead Sea Scrolls. Dr. Charlesworth specializes in the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old and New Testaments, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Josephus, Jesus Research, and the Gospel of John.

Jesus and History
In 2000, a number of scholars met in Jerusalem to deliver papers on archaeology and the historical Jesus.These papers have been gathered in this excellent collection edited by Professor James Charlesworth of Princeton Theological Seminary.

Taken as a whole, the collection discuss all the major issues and relevant locations concerning the archaeology of the Holy Land as it touches on Jesus.For example, the two articles on archaeology and John's Gospel total almost one hundred pages.There is some overlap among the various articles and a couple are somewhat "off topic" (but useful nonetheless).

Unfortunately there is no completely satisfactory introductory work on this topic.Perhaps the best is Crossan and Reed's EXCAVATING JESUS, which is quirky at places and should be used with caution.

Cutting-edge compilation
Edited by James H. Charles worth (Professor of New Testament Language and Literature and Director of the Dead Sea Scrolls Project at Princeton Theological Seminary), Jesus and Archaeology is an anthology of scholarly essays by learned authors, many of whom worked recently and directly in excavations at Bethsaida, Capernaum, Nazareth, and Jerusalem. Essay topics range from "Did Jesus Attend the Synagogue?" to "Jesus and Resurrection Faith in Light of Jewish Texts" to "The Christian Apocrypha and Archaeology" and much more. A handful of black-and-white photographs, a selected bibliography, an index of scripture and other ancient texts, and a glossary round out this cutting-edge compilation of what the latest archaeological findings tell us of Jesus and the era in which he lived. ... Read more

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A compelling examination of gender, sexuality, and the family in ancient societies.

What was it like to be a woman in prehistoric times? Did the sexual identities and gender roles found in modern society exist hundreds of thousands of years ago? Were age and other social distinctions as important then as now? And how can we ever hope to know, when little evidence survives except for fragments of bone, pottery, and jewelry?

Rosemary Joyce draws on a wealth of recent studies that reveal the history of sexual identities to be a diverse and compelling one, offering profound challenges to modern stereotypes and assumptions. 35 illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Amazing work
This is a really amazing work, going outside its field of archaeology and showing why this field is important for research and society at large. Agree or disagree, the author lifts the whole sex/gender argument to a new level.

As a sociologist working with the variability of gender issues even in our own society, I find myself thinking: at last, someone out there from the "harder" sciences who have understood the complexity of the subject.

I am reading the book now, and sure, I will have critical comments also, but I write this is in order to bring it to notice. Here is a work that is head and shoulders beyond the average "what I think about sex/gender with some select findings" kind. A good read for all, and a must read for gender researchers.

An engaging book
Archaeology is not my field, but from the first page on, that did not seem to matter.Rosemary Joyce writes with both scholarly depth and engaging accessibility; I could hardly put the book down.

I especially appreciated her nuanced navigation of the field of gender studies, which sometimes can be more political than scholarly.That was not at all the case in Ancient Bodies, Ancient Lives.Joyce did what the best authors do: inspire me to read more in her field(s) -- and more of her work. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is the fruit of the third Cotsen Advanced Seminar conducted at UCLA. A wide spectrum of scholars, historians, art historians, anthropologists, students of performance, students of religion, archaeologists, cognitive scientists, and linguists were all asked to think and comment on how ritual can be traced in archaeology and which ways ritual research can go in that discipline. The product is a fairly accurate representation of research on ritual and the archaeology of ritual: scholars from various disciplines, backgrounds and agendas, arguing mostly in the most logical fashion, yet with little agreement between them. So this book should not be seen as presenting one unified attitude towards ritual and its study in archaeology. It should rather be seen as a reflection of what the discourse in the archaeology of ritual is today. The outcome has been extremely thought provoking, often controversial, but always of extremely high quality.New reduced price on hardback copies! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Review of The Archaeology of Ritual
Although I have not yet perused the entire edited volume, I am pleased with the introduction and chapters I have read.Religion is a contentious issue among archaeologists because of its lack of visibility in the archaeological record.This edited volume appears to be helpful in resolving the issues around this topic. ... Read more

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This edited volume provides a cross-section of the cutting-edge ways in which archaeologists are developing new approaches to their work with communities and other stakeholder groups who have special interest in the uses in the past. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Socially engaged archaeology
This is a fine set of ten case studies, with excellent introductory and concluding chapters, on community-based archaeology. The case studies are largely but not entirely U.S., the exceptions being Ireland and Australia. It is an impressively integrated book, in that the chapters have some common themes, rather than being loosely related. The main themes are: working with and empowering subordinated groups such as Indian nations and African Americans, making sites and archaeology relevant to diverse audiences, and using archaeology to foster a sense of heritage. The authors generally take a postmodern position, borrowing many ideas from cultural anthropology, which include making archaeology more democratic, collaborative, participatory, interactive, multivocal, socially engaged, community-based, and empowering. I have used this book twice now in a graduate course in applied anthropology, and it has been well-received by students. It shows archaeology students that their work can profit from a knowledge of ethnography, and it shows cultural students that archaeology has a place in community development. I hope it is widely read. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is the first comprehensive presentation of the archaeology of Syria from the end of the Paleolithic period to 300 BC. Although Syria has been the focus of intensive excavations for decades, no large-scale review of the results of these excavations has ever appeared until now. Syria is one of the prime areas of excavation and archaeological field work in the Middle East, and Peter Akkermans and Glenn Schwartz outline the many important finds yielded by Syria, before providing their own perspectives and conclusions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Archaeology of Syria
This book was required for by Daughters studies at University of Toronto. ... Read more

Product Description
Within the effective format of a nontechnical case study, Life inthe Pueblo provides an understanding of the basic methodologies in modernarchaeology, including the formation of archaeological sites, dating, the role ofethnographic analogy, and analytic techniques like trace element sourcing,use-wear analysis, and carbon isotope determinations of diet. Thearchaeological interpretations are put into perspective by the inclusion of Hopeand Zuni history and myth and the liberal use of ethnographic informationfrom the Hopi and other historic and modern puebloan groups. A shortfictional reconstruction of life in the village invites the reader to reflect on thefact that the past was a period occupied by people, not just potsherds. Basedon four years of excavation and ten years of analysis of a puebloan site nearmodern Flagstaff, Arizona, this profusely illustrated volume captures readers'interest and imagination as it explores some of the fundamental principles ofarchaeology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Informative, but boring
Bought this book for my anthropology class, and even the professor decided after this one semester she wouldn't be having her class read this, because it is a very slow, boring read. It is very informative though, if you can make yourself sit down and read it.

A very confusing book
I found this book to be very confusing to read.I had a hard time figuring out which group of people she was talking about.Her research was on one group but she would talk about another group without mentioning which group she was talking about.But I did like the one story she told in the middle of the book.

An interesting insight into Archaeology!
I have just finished reading this book and have enjoyed it very much. I plan to go into the field of archaeology and I have personaly found this book very helpful. It's an insightful look into the culture of the Lizard Man Village of Arizona, using archaeological techniques and terminology. I found this book very helpful, and it would be a great book for anyone who is just starting to learn about archaeology. I would recommend this book to anyone.

An interesting resource for understanding archeology.
Kamp provides an interesting and well documented resource for understanding the methods of archeology. The book documents her research of the Sinagua peoples of Flagstaff, Arizona.Because the book is an account ofa real research project, it provides the reader with an example of methodsin use, rather than just explaining the methods as a standard text woulddo. The reader sees the techniques of excavation, dating, andinterpretation come to life. ... Read more