Recent Archaeological Excavations In Britain

Originally published in 1956, this collection features chapters by well-known archaeologists on various archaeological sites explored in the previous decade, as examples of the techniques being used and finds being made. Mostly from the lowland zone of Britain, the chapters nonetheless offer a spread of location and site types; while the periods being investigated range from prehistoric to Romano-British to later fields. This detailed work exemplifies the steady progress of study in archaeology and a final chapter on air reconnaissance deals with one of the most revolutionary additions to archaeology in the post-war period. Contributors include: J.G.D. Clark, R. Rainbird Clarke, Sir Mortimer Wheeler, I.A. Richmond, G.W. Meates, W.F. Grimes, C.W. Phillips, J.R.C. Hamilton, Brian Hope-Taylor, J.G. Hurst, J.K.S. St. Joseph.

An award-winning archaeologist and journalist chronicles England’s history—as told through the country’s recent archaeological discoveries. Digging Up Britain traces the history of Britain through key discoveries and excavations. With British archaeologist Mike Pitts as a guide, this book covers the most exciting excavations of the past ten years, gathers firsthand stories from the people who dug up the remains, and follows the latest revelations as one twist leads to another. Britain, a historically crowded place, has been the site of an unprecedented number of discoveries—almost everywhere the ground is broken, archaeologists find evidence that people have been there before. These discoveries illuminate Britain’s ever-shifting history that we now know includes an increasingly diverse array of cultures and customs. Each chapter of the book tells the story of a single excavation or discovery. Some are major digs, conducted by large teams over years, and others are chance finds, leading to revelations out of proportion to the scale of the original project. Every chapter holds extraordinary tales of planning, teamwork, luck, and cutting-edge archaeological science that produces surprising insights into how people lived a thousand to a million years ago.

Jonathan Eaton has provided the essential volume for all students of Archaeology, Classical Civilisations and Ancient History by condensing the entire archaeological history of Britain into one accessible volume. ??The Archaeological History of Britain takes us from the earliest prehistoric archaeology right up to the contemporary archaeology of the present day through the use of key sites to illustrate each key time period as well as a narrative of change to accompany the changing archaeological record. The wide range of evidence utilised by archaeologists, such as artefacts, landscape studies, historical sources and genetics are emphasised throughout this chronological journey as are the latest theoretical advances and practical discoveries, making this the most advanced narrative of British archaeology available.

The Archaeology of Britain is the only concise and up-to-date introduction to the archaeological record of Britain from the reoccupation of the landmass by Homo sapiens during the later stages of the most recent Ice Age until last century. This fully revised second edition extends its coverage, including greater detail on the first millennium AD beyond the Anglo-Saxon domain, and into recent times to look at the archaeological record produced by Britain’s central role in two World Wars and the Cold War. The chapters are written by experts in their respective fields. Each is geared to provide an authoritative but accessible introduction, supported by numerous illustrations of key sites and finds and a selective reference list to aid study in greater depth. It provides a one-stop textbook for the entire archaeology of Britain and reflects the most recent developments in archaeology both as a field subject and as an academic discipline. No other book provides such comprehensive coverage, with such a wide chronological range, of the archaeology of Britain. This collection is essential reading for undergraduates in archaeology, and all those interested in British archaeology, history and geography.

A practical guide to the various modern methods of discovery, excavation and recording of the remains left by prehistoric man in Britain. It stresses the vital role played by the amateur rescuing evidence of man’s past behaviour in these islands, and is illustrated by maps, site plans and sections, and drawings of equipment and surveying procedures. Originally published in 1972.

"This original study draws on the results of latest discoveries to describe London’s Roman origins. It presents a wealth of new information from one of the world’s most intensively studied archaeological sites, introducing many original ideas concerning London’s economic and political history. The archaeological discoveries are used to build a narrative account that explains how recent investigations in London challenge our understanding of the ancient world. The Roman city was probably converted from a fort built on the north side of London Bridge at the time of the Roman conquest, and is the place where the emperor Claudius arrived en route to claim his victory in AD 43. It was rebuilt as the commanding site for Rome’s rule of Britain. A history of social, architectural, and economic development is reconstructed from precise tree-ring dating, and used to show that investment in the urban infrastructure was provoked by the needs of military campaigns and political strategies. The story also shows how the city suffered violent destruction in resistance to Roman rule, and was brought to the verge of collapse by pandemics and political insecurity in the second and third centuries. These events had a critical bearing on the reforms of late antiquity, from which London emerged as a defended administrative enclave. Always a creature of the centralized Roman administration, and largely dependent on colonial immigration, the city was subsequently deserted when Rome failed to maintain political control. This ground-breaking study brings new information and arguments drawn from urban archaeology to our study of the way in which Rome ruled, and how empire failed"--Publisher's description.

"Great Britain and Ireland are home to some of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Stonehenge, Hadrian's Wall and Ironbridge are familiar to us all and each year thousands flock to witness their spectacular beauty. But what can these fascinating sites tell us about the lives and times of our ancestors? Now, Channel 4's perennially popular Time Team take us on an archaeological sight-seeing tour of Britain and Ireland. Region by region, they select the most interesting and important sites which are open to visitors, some familiar to all, others relatively unknown. Each is treated with the inimitable no-nonsense Time Team style. This book is like having Tony, Mick, Geo-Phys and the gang in the back seat of your car - sharing their specialist knowledge and fascinating historical insights wherever you travel in the British Isles..."