Aegean Prehistory: A Review (American Journal of Archaeology)

Aegean prehistory has developed over the 20th century into a distinctive and vibrant area of archaeological research. The past few decades, in particular, have seen a dramatic reorientation and expansion of goals and methods as well as a flood of new fieldwork in the Agean. Keeping abreast of these new developments has become a daunting task. Aegean Prehistory: A Review contains detailed syntheses of research, originally published in the American Journal of Archaeology and newly updated here. The volume conveys the diversity and richness of current approaches to the discipline of Aegean prehistory whilst also marshalling an enormous amount of information pertaining to field projects, museum studies, analyses of materials and texts, and supporting theories of interpretation. An introduction by Tracey Cullen places the review articles in historical perspective, tracing the evolution of Aegean prehistory from the 19th century to the present. The author also considers the current status of the discipline - its relationships with classical archaeology and anthropology, and the manner in which it is shaped by various sociopolitical forces. Aegean Prehistory: A Review is a powerful research tool for the exploration of Aegean themes. With its expansive and detailed coverage, the book constitutes essential reading for professionals and students of Aegean prehistory. It will also be of great interest to all who wish to learn more about intellectual trends and current discoveries in this part of the Mediterranean. Perhaps most important, Aegean Prehistory: A Review provides a solid foundation upon which Aegean archaeology can build as it continues to thrive in the coming years. Contents: Introduction ( Tracey Cullen ); Review of Aegean Prehistory I: The Islands of the Aegean ( Jack L Davis ); Review II: The Prepalatial Bronze Age of the Southern and Central Greek Mainland ( Jeremy B Rutter ); Review III: Crete from Earliest Prehistory through the Protopalatial Period ( L Vance Watrous ); Review IV: The Stone Age of Greece from the Palaeolithic to the Advent of the Neolithic ( Curtis Runnels ); Review V: The Neolithic and Bronze Age of Northern Greece ( S Andreou, M Fotiadis, K Kotaskis ); Review VI: The palatial Bronze Age of the Southern and Central Greek Mainland ( Cynthia W Shelmerdine ); Review VII: Neopalatial, Final Palatial and Postpalatial Crete ( P Rehak, J G Younger ). Each Review is followed by Addenda. Comprehensive index.