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Ancient Europe 8000 B.C.--A.D. 1000: An Encyclopedia of the Barbarian World by Peter I. Bogucki, Pam J. Crabtree

A superbly written work that covers a history all but ignored in conventional historical surveys, Ancient Europe, 8,000 B.C.-A.D. 1,000 features 212 essays written for a general readership by 131 contributors. The span of years covered by the set is explained in the introduction of the first section: "The beginning is marked by the freeing of Europe from glacial ice . . and the end is determined by the spread of Christianity across northern and eastern Europe and the establishment of many European states that persist into the present." Many of the contributors are archaeologists, and the set is focused accordingly.

Arranged in seven sections, the set proceeds in chronological order once past the first section, "Discovering Barbarian Europe," which provides overview essays such as "Trade and Exchange." Each section features several essays--most about eight pages in length--many followed by somewhat shorter "feature essays" that deal with more specific topics. The eight-page essay "Bronze Age Britain and Ireland," for example, is followed by the six-page essay "Stonehenge," the three-page "Flag Fen," and the three-page "Irish Bronze Age Goldwork," each separately authored. There are black-and-white photographs and maps throughout. Each volume also has a section of line maps and a chronology at the start as well as eight pages of color plates in the middle. Each essay concludes with an up-to-date bibliography and cross-references to other articles. In a work that is not alphabetically arranged, it would have been helpful to have these cross-references include specific page numbers rather than just volume and part number.

Libraries that purchased the recent Encyclopedia of Barbarian Europe [RBB N 15 2003] may be tempted to pass on this more expensive set. In fact, the two works are complementary. The Encyclopedia of Barbarian Europe offers accessible A-Z entries on people, places, and events; the present set not only encompasses a much wider time frame but offers a different perspective. Any public and academic library that has a clientele interested in European archeology or the featured historical period covered will find this a valuable purchase. RBB

Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

"This encyclopedia opens up the worlds beyond the splendors of the Mediterranean and shows that there was indeed civilization and culture in the hinterlands of Europe before the modern period..accompanied by sharp, well-reproduced, black-and-white illustrations and photographs. Each volume also includes a set of good color illustrations as well as maps and timelines..this set is a joy to read and a worthwhile purchase, especially for academic libraries and larger public libraries."

--ARBA (2004) (ARBA 20040601)

"Once upon a time students were told that history consisted of the recorded events of the past. By this definition, history was often interpreted as requiring written records, and thus its limits in tome varied from place to place. This new archaeological encyclopedia demonstrates just how old-fashioned such notions are. Archaeologists employ many means to interpret the past. Surveys and excavations reveal settlement patterns, domestic architecture, defenses and monuments. Grave offerings indicate status and wealth. Forensic analysis of human and animal remains provides evidence of diet, disease, agriculture and animal husbandry. Pollen, pottery, tree rings, radiocarbon and stone tools are all used to date evidence and establish a timeline in which to place artifacts, sites and events.

Such methods are the basis of this interesting reconstruction of European history from the first post-glacial foragers around 8000 B.C. to the Christianization of northern Europe about 1000 A.D. The focus is not the classical and medieval civilizations that recorded their history on clay, stone, papyrus and vellum, but the peoples who lived on the fringes of such societies, well beyond the reach of imperial swords and the bureaucrat?s pen and stylus. Mesolithic farmers, megalith builders, Etruscans, Celts, Huns, Picts, Vikings and a host of other barbaric peoples for whom our chief sources of information are simply the material remains they left behind are introduced to the reader. Following an introduction to various approaches to archaeology, the arrangement is roughly chronological, with sections focusing on the transition to agriculture, the introduction of metallurgy, the European Iron Age and the period of great migrations. Many of the 212 scholarly articles discuss such topics as early crops, the first domestication of the horse, the building of trackways through swamps, the first boats, the beginnings of trade and markets, and the origins of iron production. Other entries feature particular sites or finds like the Ice Man, Varna, Stonehenge and Sutton Hoo. A glossary, timelines, more than 300 maps and illustrations and selective bibliographies in each entry aid the beginning researcher. This insightful guide is highly recommended for academic libraries."

--Lawrence Looks at Books, (July 2004) (Online 20040401)

"This insightful guide is highly recommended for academic libraries."

--Lawrence Looks at Books (July 2004) (Online )

"Scribners continues its series of encyclopedias on major historical periods (Dictionary of the Middle Ages; Encyclopedia of the Renaissance; Europe 1450-1799) with this fine brace of volumes, intended to cover a staggering nine millennia of European history... Authors describe and interpret evidence of agriculture, burial practices, rituals and structures. The scope of the book allows readers to study areas or tribes, and compare them with other areas or peoples, thereby gaining a sense of the distinctiveness and the commonalities of the erstwhile vague prehistoric Europeans. Editors Bogucki (Priceton) and Crabtree (New York University) have gathered essays from and international cast of recognized authorities, whose breadth of expertise provides a reliable sense of the encyclopedia?s scope and reliability. Articles are signed, well illustrated (although more maps would have been very helpful), and include excellent bibliographies and cross-references. Recommended for academic libraries supporting majors in historical studies."

--Catholic Library World, (June 2004) (Doody Enterprises )

A superbly written work that covers a history all but ignored in conventional historical surveys, this set features 212 essays written for a general readership by 131 contributors... Any public and academic library that has a clientele interested in European archeology or the featured historical period covered will find this a valuable purchase."

--Booklist (April 2004) (Booklist ) --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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