Archaeological encyclopedia

This comprehensive, illustrated guide has become a classic reference on Middle Eastern archaeology since its first publication in 1972. This third edition is again revised and updated, with the latest findings from digs in the Holy Land compiled from the work of twenty world-renowned archaeologists.

Archaeology is a subject that fascinates us. From Egyptian tombs to a frozen Alpine wayfarer, from cities buried under volcanic ash to stone arrow heads turned up by the plow, archaeology is in the news and in our backyards. It is paradoxical that a subject that so easily captures the imagination is so difficult for the serious layman to access. Superficial media treatments and picture-book atlases and site guides on the one hand, jargon-heavy scholarly books and narrowly focused articles on the other-there are few ways to learn about the real world of archaeology outside the college classroom or the dig site. The Encyclopedia of Archaeology changes this, in making all aspects of archaeology accessible to a broad audience of the general scientific community, educators, students, and avocational archaeologists. Professional archaeologists and anthropologists will also find the encyclopedia a ready source of up-to-date information on specialities outside their own expertise. The Encyclopedia of Archaeology encompasses all aspects of archaeology, including the nature and diversity of archaeology as a scientific discipline, the practice of archaeology, archaeology in the everyday world, and the future of the discipline. Featured in the Encyclopedia of Archaeology are articles by leading authors that summarize archaeological knowledge at the beginning the 21st century, highlighting important sites and issues, and tracing the development of prehistoric cultures around the globe. No existing work provides the breadth and depth of coverage as the Encyclopedia of Archaeology. Also available online via ScienceDirect (2007) – featuring extensive browsing, searching, and internal cross-referencing between articles in the work, plus dynamic linking to journal articles and abstract databases, making navigation flexible and easy. For more information, pricing options and availability visit www.info.sciencedirect.com. The first and only reference work to cover all elements of archaeology, over 280 articles have been specifically commissioned for this reference work Distinguished Editorial Board headed by Editor-in-Chief Professor Deborah Pearsall, University of Missouri, along with many other prominent scientists serving as editorial advisors Breadth and depth of coverage ensures that professional archaeologists will find the Encyclopedia a ready source of up-to-date information on specialties outside their own expertise Each article has been reviewed to ensure accuracy, comprehensiveness, and up-to-date content Articles are written to be accessible to the educated general public with jargon-free presentation of subjects Beautiful 4-color photography and informational figures throughout Topics are arrange A-Z for easy reference Geographic overview articles are grouped by continent or region to allow easy reference Glossary entries explain key terms Further Reading lists appear at the end of each entry

Organized alphabetically, Carta s New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land (Volumes 1-4) describes and analyzes archaeological excavations carried out during the past century or more in the Holy Land, on both sides of the Jordan. With 365 articles prepared by more than 200 scholars from around the world, this comprehensive encyclopedia presents a rich and extensive body of archaeological material. An extensive bibliography is appended to each article. No other work compares with the scope and authority of the New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land (Volumes 1-4), or its scholarly significance."

This is a new and refreshing introduction to the human species that places modern humans squarely in evolutionary perspective and treats evolution itself as a continuing genetic process in which every one of us is involved. Over seventy scholars worldwide have collaborated on the Encyclopedia, which is divided into ten main sections. Following a keynote introduction asking simply "What makes us human?", the coverage ranges widely: from genetics, primatology and fossil origins to human biology and ecology, brain function and behavior, and demography and disease. Emphasis is placed throughout on the biological diversity of modern people and the increasing convergence of the fossil and genetic evidence for human evolution that has emerged in recent years. Because of the need to look at humankind in the context of our closest relatives, the Encyclopedia also pays particular attention to the evolution and ecology of the living primates--lemurs, lorises, monkeys and apes. It deals with the evolution and ecology of human society, as reconstructed from archaeological remains, and from studies of indigenous peoples and living primates today. It considers the biology of uniquely human abilities such as language and upright walking, and it reviews the biological future of humankind in the face of challenges greater than those ever before experienced. Boxes highlighting key issues and techniques are provided throughout the text, and there are numerous maps, photographs, diagrams, and ready-reference tables--all the reader needs in a single volume to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of how humankind has developed and how scientists set about investigating the origin of our species.

Here is the ultimate resource on the day to day life of the people who inhabit the pages of the Bible:  priests and sailors, musicians and mourners, scribes and craftsmen.  A major reference of its kind, this book has been completely revised and updated to incorporate recent archaeological and historical data.  This indispensable volume contains 74 subjects in 14 sections, 150 illustrations, completely up-to-date bibliography, scriptural index, charts, maps, diagrams and a general index.  The latest findings shed light on agriculture, animals, apparel, nutrition, crafts, business and trade, city life, flowers and plants, homes, music, professions and more. This book is in non-technical language.  It is meant to be of help to the layman rather than the scholar. The Encyclopedia of Bible Life will prove to be informative, stimulating, and useful. 

Hunting and gathering peoples, including Kalahari Bushmen, Australian aborigines, Eskimos, and Pygmies, are the subject of endless appeal. This illustrated reference volume is the first devoted exclusively to hunting and gathering peoples that is both accessible to the nonspecialist and written by leading scholars. It is a state-of-the-art summary of knowledge on the subject, covering an extraordinary range of materials: case studies of over fifty of the world's hunter-gatherers, the archaeological background, religion and world view, music and art, questions of gender, health and nutrition, and contemporary rights.