Ancestral Geographies of the Neolithic: Landscapes, Monuments and Memory [Paperback]

Mark Edmonds (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 16, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0415204321 | ISBN-13: 978-0415204323

Archaeological evidence suggests that Neolithic sites had many different, frequently contradictory functions, and there may have been other uses for which no evidence survives. How can archaeologists present an effective interpetation, with the consciousness that both their own subjectivity, and the variety of conflicting views will determine their approach.
Because these sites have become a focus for so much controversy, the problem of presenting them to the public assumes a critical importance. The authors do not seek to provide a comprehensive review of the archaeology of all these causewayed sites in Britain; rather they use them as case studies in the development of an archaeological interpetation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The text speaks for itself. It is a vivid, scholarly and sensitive view.' - The Archaeologist

'As a specialist, I found Ancestral Geographies unusually enjoyable as well as stimulating, and I think it will work well for other kinds of readers at different stages and with different interests. For a sense of how life might have been both in daily spheres and at unusual monuments in the Early Neolithic, this is a brilliant introduction.' - Landscape History

'This is a wonderful book, beautifully written, and elegant summary of Edmonds' own views and of the conclusions of an exciting new generation of British prehistorians.' - Ian Hodder, Cambridge Archaeological Journal

About the Author

Mark Edmonds is Senior Lecturer in landscape archaeology at the University of Sheffield. He is the author of Stone Tools and Society.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (May 16, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415204321
• ISBN-13: 978-0415204323
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,974,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A pleasure to read, January 7, 2001

By 

Anna Johnson-Betty "GuNBiTCH" (Cambridge MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ancestral Geographies of the Neolithic: Landscapes, Monuments and Memory (Paperback)

'Ancestral Geographies of the Neolithic: Landscape, Monuments and Memory' (AGN) is a useful and thought-provoking work that brings together the experience and imagination of an archaeologist of the Neolithic. Mark Edmonds uses short fictional pieces to bring to life his knowledge and understanding of Neolithic Britain: the result is very interesting and useful.

One of the problems with studying the prehistoric is the dry and exceedingly complicated research papers and books. It is impossible for me to understand a period in time without some sort of mental image of real people living in that period. So often writers forget that while *they* have such an understanding, their readers do not. Edmonds addresses the needs of both Neolithic newbie and Neolithic expert in his book by taking the Neolithic and using short fictional pieces to try and bring the objects and places to life. He does so carefully, and it is clear to me that his synthesis of the material has made me understand his argument far more clearly than other methods. The material gains coherence and reality, and it underlines part of his thesis about the nature of 'ritual' and 'mundane' space.

In addition, Edmonds' writing has a remarkable clarity. Often in archaeology, I find myself wading through practically incomprehensible paragraphs. Despite the intimidating title, AGN did not sacrifice plain argument for technical expertise. It was a pleasure to work through AGN's complex theses without first having to struggle through paragraph-long sentences using deliberately specialized terminology.

I am not a specialist in the Neolithic. Others may take umbrage at Edmonds' use of 'created reality' to present his material. I think that the format he chose (short piece followed by argument and presentation of material) is useful because it clearly expresses his assumptions. Anyone who claims to understand a particular society or set of societies and claims not to have imagined those worlds in their heads is fooling herself - or is not the proper person for the job. Part of how we explore and grasp the remains of the past is to imagine, and I really appreciate how AGN brings this process forward. Edmonds makes deliberate use of fiction to reconstruct the past, taking what has been a 'behind the scenes' process and laying it out before the reader.