Read more
This text reviews the theory, concepts, and basic methods involved in archaeological analysis with the aim of familiarizing both students and professionals with its underlying principles. Topics covered include the nature and presentation of data; database and research design; sampling and quantification; analyzing lithics, pottery, faunal, and botanical remains; interpreting dates; and archaeological illustration. A glossary of key terms completes the book.
List of contents
Preface.- Introduction.- What Are Data?- Systematics, Compilations, and Database Design.- Research Design and Sampling.- Quantification: Abundance and Other Measures in Archaeology.- Probability and Testing Statistical Hypotheses.- Basic Artifact Conservation.- Analysing Lithics.- Analysing Pottery.- Analysing Osteological and Other Faunal Remains.- Analysing Plant Remains.- Soils, Sediments, and Geomorphology.- Seriation.- Stratigraphy.- Interpreting Radiocarbon Dates.- Archaeological Illustration.- Glossary.- Index
Summary
This text reviews the theory, concepts, and basic methods involved in archaeological analysis with the aim of familiarizing both students and professionals with its underlying principles. Topics covered include the nature and presentation of data; and archaeological illustration. A glossary of key terms completes the book.
Report
"This book looks like a real boon. Teachers will welcome it; "Where's my Banning?!" will become a common cry among students; and it will be welcome among contract archaeologists and amateur groups too."
(Antiquity, 75, 2002)
"[...] I use this text in my upper level introductory lab course. [...] The Archaeologist's Laboratory provides the breadth and detail that allows instructors to pick and choose what they want to use. [...]Overall, I consider this to be the best archaeological lab. book on the market. The students all agreed that the text was clearly written and easy to understand. If ordered as a text for a class of six or more students, the price is reduced... In sum, both my students and I highly recommend this text."
(Lisa Nagaoka, University of North Texas (Geoarchaeology, An International Journal, 17:8, 2002)
"Banning has succeeded admirably well in producing a fine work for his target audience. [...]Banning's clear writing style and ability to boil down challenging concepts so that they are easily understandable for the undergraduate student (and the professors who must instruct them!) make this an immensely useful reference tool."
(Randall W. Younker, Andrews University (Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, 328, 2002)
