The Secrets of the Holy Grail revealed?

Monty Python and Indiana Jones can both be thanked for renewing our interest in the mysteries of the Holy Grail in recent times, but the Grail legend is something that has been around in popular culture for more than eight centuries. An excellent new book by Richard Barber reveals his own quest to find answers to the secrets of the Grail. In it he examines the origins of the Grail and its transformation from the poetic imagination of a 12th century romance writer, to a holy relic at the centre of the Christian Mass. Before the prehistorians and classicists among you scroll off down the page, this book is even for those of you who would never normally touch anything remotely connected with medieval literature - this is a great read.

Secondhand or Antiquarian?

Did you know that we sell secondhand books? So quiet are we about this side of Oxbow that you may not be aware of it, unless you have visited us in Oxford. Perhaps it is time to tell you what we have.

Of all the new books that have passed over the desks of the Oxbow staff this month, these, for whatever reason, are the ones that grabbed their attention.

New Releases

Fiskerton: An Iron Age Timber Causeway with Iron Age and Roman Votive Offerings
Field, N.
Hardback. GB £35.00

Catalogues

During the last month the catalogue department has been hiding away producing two new catalogues: the Book News (see below) which has just been mailed out and the Archaeology and Prehistory 2004 catalogue, currently at the printers. This is a glossy A4 production which contains both classic titles and new books, covering the prehistoric world, evolution, rock art, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australasia. To go with it Kate has compiled a long list of prehistoric bargains and good deals which is also available to download from the website. The Archaeology and Prehistory catalogue should reach doorsteps in about three weeks - if you don't get one and you want one just let us know via our catalogue request system.

Conferences we will be attending

BANEA 2004 - British Association of Near Eastern Archaeology
University of Reading, UK (Thursday 25 March, 2004 - Saturday 27 March, 2004)
The BANEA conference at Reading will focus on the symbolism of the Near East, particularly the Neolithic, in a series of plenary lectures across the three days of the conference. In addition, there will be smaller sessions on a range of issues such as gender, trade, texts, cognition and more.

Classical Association (Leeds)
University of Leeds, UK (Thursday 1st April - Sunday 4th April, 2004)
In 2004 the University of Leeds will be celebrating its centenary, and is pleased to host the annual conference of the Classical Association of England and Wales. The annual conference provides a forum for discussion of many aspects of classical study from politics and philosophy to language and poetry.

Institute of Field Archaeologists (Liverpool)
University of Liverpool, UK (Tuesday 6th April - Thursday 8th April, 2004)
As usual the conference will have a number of different and varied sessions on offer.

The London Book Fair
We will be at the London Book Fair this year; Stand A32 if you want to come and find us.