Current Archaeology Book of the Year 2015: Shortlist

(2014)

The shortlist for the Current Archaeology Book of the Year 2015 has appeared and voting is now taking place. In the shortlist is Paul Bahn’s The History of Archaeology: an Introduction (Routledge, 2014) [publisher].

The History of Archaeology: An Introduction provides global coverage with chapters devoted to particular regions of the world. The regional approach allows readers to understand the similarities and differences in the history of and approach to archaeology in various parts of the world. Each chapter is written by a specialist scholar with experience of the region concerned. Thus the book focuses on the earliest beginnings of archaeology in different parts of the world, and how it developed from being a pastime for antiquarians and collectors to a serious attempt to obtain information about past societies.

Woven into the text are various boxes that explore key archaeologists, sites and important discoveries in the history of archaeology enriching the story of the discipline’s development. With such far ranging coverage, including an exploration of the little covered development of Russian and Chinese archaeology, The History of Archaeology is the perfect introduction to the history of archaeology for the interested reader and student alike.

Among the contributors to the volume is Professor David Gill, Director of Heritage Futures at UCS. His section was on the Classical World covering Greece and Rome.

Lord Renfrew concludes the volume with an essay on ‘The future of archaeology’.

Details of the Current Archaeology awards (including other categories) and how to vote can be found here.