Product Description

Tim Darvill examines the development of human societies in Britain from the earliest times down to the Roman Conquest, as revealed by available archaeological evidence.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #282641 in Books
• Published on: 1987-02-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

From the Back Cover
Tim Darvill examins the development of human societies in Britain from the earliest times down to the Roman Conquest, as revealed by available archaeological evidence. Special attention is given to six themes which are traced through all phases of prehistory: subsistence, technology, ritual, trade, society and population. Ideal for extramural course use, Prehistoric Britain is a book that can be read for pleasure by anyone interested in the early history of the British Isles.

About the Author
Timothy Darvill was born and brought up in Gloucestershire. He was educated in Cheltenham, and at Southampton University where he obtained an honours degree in Archaeology. His postgraduate research focused on the Neolithic period in Wales and the West of England. Between 1983 and 1985 he worked for the Western Archaeological Trust and the Council for British Archaeology before establishing himself as a freelance consultant. More recently he has been appointed to the BPF Chair of Property Development and Archaeology at Bournemouth University. A Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a former Chairman of the Institute of Field Archaeologists, Professor Darvill is a nominated member of the Council of the National Trust and a Director of the Cotswold Archaeological Trust Ltd. Other publications include: The Archaeology of the Uplands (1986) and Ancient Monuments in the Countryside (1987).

Customer Reviews

Want to know more about Prehistoric Britain?
Whilst studying archaeology, this book was indespensible. It is a little more than an entry level read on the subject of British Prehistory, but doesn't require the reader to know anything about the subject. The book starts with hunter gatherers, and goes on to explain all aspects of the prehistoric world. From the birth of farming in the Neolithic, through the discovery of metal during the Bronze Age, and onto Iron Age Britain. Subjects covered in the book include burial practice in prehistory along with their regional diferences, and the varying types of ritual monument, and their dispersal throughout the UK by region and time. Craft and industry in prehistory are covered and there are chapters on how climate changed life in Prehistoric Britain. Trade and Immigration are looked at, and how differing cultures brought new crafts and ideas to the Britian Isles. Other chapters cover social change in the various regions of Britian, and how the 'Wessex Culture' came to be predominant.

Radiocarbon dating as well as other dating techniques are covered, as are techniques employed in finding sites, such as aerial photography. This is a cracking read, packed with pictures, photographs, charts and tables and written to be accessable to everyone. Anyone interested in the prehistoric origins of Britain should have a copy. There is also a companion book called 'Prehistoric Britain From The Air', which delves further into the subject, picking out specific sites and areas, and explaining more about their origin and function. Both books are highly recommended.