Product Description

An invaluable field text, this book examines nine detailed case studies to provide a brilliantly clear and comprehensible guide to the different methods and approaches (cultural, forensic, and technical) which can be used to study ancient artefacts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #142115 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Review
'Chris Caple's contribution ... bridges neatly the gap between theoretical thinking and technology ... I would certainly recommend this book; not only to students but to anyone interested in how rich object biographies are constructed.' - Antiquity

From the Back Cover

An invaluable field textbook, Objects includes nine detailed case studies to provide a brilliantly clear and comprehensible guide to the different methods and approaches (cultural, scientific and technical) which can and have been used to study ancient artefacts.

From the Bayeux Tapestry to small medieval brass pins, Chris Caple’s integral text deals with a full range of materials, from medieval wooden doors to Saxon jewellery, and clearly and simply explains key scientific techniques, technology, anthropological jargon and historical approaches.

Key demonstrations include:

• how information from objects builds into a picture of the ancient society that made and used them
• the commonly used scientific techniques for object analysis
• how and why object typologies work
• how cultural and economic factors as well as the material properties influence what objects are made of
• how simple observation of an object can build its biography.

Revealing answers to crucial questions such as: Can DNA be obtained from objects? Why do people x-ray ancient artefacts? And can you determine the source of metal objects from their trace elements? Objects is an absolutely essential text for students of archaeology, museum studies and conservation.

About the Author
University of Durham, UK