The Classical Archaeology of Greece: Experiences of the Discipline

by Michael Shanks

Overview

Archaeologists do not discover the past but take the fragmentary remains which they recover and make something of them. Archaeology is a process of detection and supposition; this is what makes it so fascinating. However, the interpretations of archaeologists differ and change over time. They depend upon the amount of evidence available, the ideas and preconceptions of the archaeologist and their interests and aims.
Michael Shanks's enlivening work is a guide to the discipline of classical archaeology and its objects. It assesses archaeology as a means of reconstructing ancient Greek society using the latest approaches of social archaeology. In addition, The Classical Archaeology of Greece outlines the history of the discipline and discusses why Classical Greece continues to fascinate us and why it has had such an impact on European civilization and identity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781134693177
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/02/2003
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	214
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Michael Shanks is a lecturer in archaeology at the University of Wales, Lampeter.

Table of Contents

AN INTRODUCTION 1 A SEARCH FOR SOURCES 2 CITIES AND SANCTUARIES, ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY: ROOTS IN THE PAST 3 GREEK MYTHS AND METANARRATIVES: FROM WINCKELMANN TO BERNAL 4 SCHOLARSHIP AND DISCOURSE 5 RUDIMENTS OF A SOCIAL ARCHAEOLOGY 6 SOME TOPICS AND ISSUES IN A SOCIAL ARCHAEOLOGY OF CLASSICAL GREECE 7 ARCHAEOLOGY, CLASSICS AND CONTEMPORARY CULTURE

Editorial Reviews

'It places Classical Archaeology firmly in a historical and theoretical frame. This is a real step forward ... this is an essential book ... Anyone with even a passing interest in the subject should read this book.' - Antiquity

'This is a fascinating and thought-provoking book ...' - JACT Review

'Shanks shows us the perils of uncritically accepting past methods' - Greece & Rome

From the Publisher