Archaeomineralogy

by George Rapp

Overview

“Archaeomineralogy” provides a wealth of information for mineralogists, geologists and archaeologists involved in archaeometric studies. The first edition was very well-received and praised for its systematic description of the rocks and minerals used throughout the world by our ancestors and for its excellent list of over 900 references, providing easy access to the fields of archaeomineralogy and geoarchaeology.

This second edition of “Archaeomineralogy” takes an updated and expanded look at the human use of rocks and minerals from the Paleolithic through to the 18th century CE. It retains the structure and main themes of the original but has been revised and expanded with more than 200 new references within the text, a bibliography of additional references not included in the text, a dozen new figures (drawings and photos), coverage of many additional important mineral, rock, and gem materials, a broader geographic scope, particularly but not limited to Eastern Europe, anda more thorough review of early contributions to archaeomineralogy, especially those of Agricola.

From reviews of the first edition:

"… crammed full of useful information, is well-balanced using both new and Old World examples of the archaeomaterials described. It also provides a broad, but of necessity, all too brief overview of the geological raw materials used in antiquity." — Geoscientist

"…provides much interesting discussion of how particular names came to be employed by archaeologists working in different regions of the world…. much to offer for any geologist or archaeologist interested in minerals and rocks and how they have been used in the past." — Mineralium Deposita

"… a gem of a book, it's strength is that it is encyclopedic in content, if not in layout, draws on a wealth of field experience and almost every sentence contains a nugget of information" — The Holocene

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783540785934
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	02/05/2009
Series:	Natural Science in Archaeology
Edition description:	2nd ed. 2009
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.40(h) x 1.00(d)

Table of Contents

and History.- Properties of Minerals.- Exploitation of Mineral and Rock Raw Materials.- Lithic Materials.- Gemstones Seal Stones and Ceremonial Stones.- Soft Stones and Other Carvable Materials.- Metals and Related Minerals and Ores.- Ceramic Raw Materials.- Pigments and Colorants.- Abrasives Salt Shells and Miscellaneous Geologic Raw Materials.- Building, Monumental, and Statuary Materials.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:

Praise for George R. Rapp's Archaeomineralogy

Geoscientist

"The text is crammed full of useful information, is well-balanced using both new and Old World examples of the archaeomaterials described. It also provides a broad, but of necessity, all too brief overview of the geological raw materials used in antiquity."

Mineralium Deposita

"The book provides much interesting discussion of how particular names came to be employed by archaeologists working in different regions of the world. Overall, I found that the book had much to offer for any geologist or archaeologist interested in minerals and rocks and how they have been used in the past."

The Holocene

"This is a gem of a book, it's strength is that it is encyclopedic in content, if not in layout, draws on a wealth of field experience and almost every sentence contains a nugget of information"

Geological Magazine

"The current volume aims to provide a systematic overview of minerals and rocks that have been used from prehistoric times though to the 17th Century. It is a very readable well-written overview of the subject. In addition to the extensive bibliography there is also a very useful glossary of mineralogical, geological and archaeological terms. Overall this is an excellent volume that should appeal equally to those with a geological or an archaeological background. Highly recommended."

"The scope of this book is ambitious. In it the author aims to cover the main mineral and rock materials used in antiquity from Prehistoric times to the 17th century AD … . the range of materials covered and the extensive bibliography of some 800 references provide the reader with a good starting point for further study. … It is really a book to be dipped into … . Overall, the book is well balanced using both New and Old World examples … ." (Louise Joyner, Geoscientist, Vol. 13 (9), 2003)

"This little book provides a wealth of information in an entertaining and readable fashion. The coverage is both very broad and complete … . I found the archaeological discussion very informative, and the excellent biography, with over 500 references, provide an immediate entry into the geoarchaeology literature on many different subjects! Overall, I found that the book had much to offer for any geologist or archaeologist interested in minerals and rocks and how they have been used in the past." (C. R. Stern, Mineralium Deposita, Vol. 38 (5), 2003)

"This is a gem of a book … . Its aim is to provide ‘a systematic look at the mineral and rock materials that have been used from prehistoric times through the seventeenth century ACE’ … . Moreover, it attempts to give world coverage … . this is a huge task. It is a great credit, therefore, to the scholarship, energy and experience of the author, that he has managed to achieve his aim … ." (A. M. Pollard, The Holocene, Vol. 13 (5), 2003)

"The current volume aims to provide a systematic overview of minerals and rocks that have been used from prehistoric times through to the 17th Century. … it is a very readable well-written overview of the subject. In addition to the extensive bibliography there is also a very useful glossary of mineralogical, geological and archaeological terms … . Overall this is an excellent volume that should appeal equally to those with a geological or an archaeological background. Highly recommended." (Allan Pring, Geological Magazine, Vol. 140 (3), 2003)

From the reviews of the second edition:

"This new edition … is truly an asset to the small but growing field of archaeomineralogy. … provides a comprehensive introduction to minerals with an underlying emphasis on how they are important to archaeologists and researchers of ancient technology. … this book is perfect for undergraduates pursuing an education in archaeology or the curious nonacademic interested in the subject. … useful quick reference for graduate students and researchers already familiar with the field. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels." (L. D. Frame, Choice, Vol. 47 (1), September, 2009)

From the Publisher