What the Georgians Did For Us: Pioneers of Archaeology

The beginning of the last century produced a cache of astounding archaeological discoveries. The men and women who brought such ancient wonders to prominence are celebrated in a crop of biographies which explore the people behind the mounds...

The Dover Bronze Age Boat

The Dover boat was discovered twelve years ago and has been the source of much loving care and attention in the years since. Now, a dozen years since its discovery, two books on this fascinating find bring the boat to a wider audience.

Death of a God

Alexander the Great dominated his world like no other and was regarded by friend and foe alike as a living god. Yet ‘he did not die a warrior’s death in battle, but expired as a baby in his own bed’. This ignominy, this proof of mortality, can only have been brought about by ill-doing, by murder. Alexander’s life is shortly to hit the cinema screens after months of anticipation. Books on the Macedonian king are published all year round in astonishing numbers, but, coinciding with the release of the movie, are three new books which focus on one aspect of Alexander’s story - not his military genius or godliness, but with his death and the fate of his mortal remains and tomb.

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

Greek art in view: Essays in honour of Brain Sparkes
edited by Simon Keay
Hardback. GB £35.00, GB £10.00

This book celebrates the career of Brian Sparkes, whose work in Classical archaeology has covered many diverse areas such as art, pottery, and theatre. Such interdisciplinary work is at the core of this book, which seeks to explore the relationship between different kinds of text and material culture and the ways in which these can be interpreted. Chapters include studies on the relationship between vase painting and sculpture (Karim Arafat), images on wedding bowls (Sue Blundell), and the role of pottery workshops in the choice of iconography (Robin Osborne). There is also, unusually for this kind of publication, a paper by Brian Sparkes himself, focusing on how artists and craftsmen in ancient Greece conceived the appearances of men and women and of the move from idealised naturalism to realistic naturalism.

Cin Chille Cuile - Texts, Saints and Places: Essays in Honour of Padraig O Riain
edited by John Carey, Marie Herbert and Kevin Murray
Hardback. GB £29.95

An attractive volume containing 28 substantial studies by John Carey, Máire Herbert, Máirín Ní Dhonnchadha, Máire Ní Mhaonaigh, Seán Ó Coileáin,Donnchadh Ó Corráin, and other leading Celtic scholars, focusing on the subjects of Celtic Saints, Irish placenames, Irish literature and language of all periods. Includes a bibliography of the publications of Professor Pádraig Ó Riain, the leader of the Irish Place Name Survey. 8 chapters are in Irish.

The Third Intermediate Period in Egypt, 1100-650BC
by K.A. Kitchen
Paperback. GB £35.00

A reprint of the second edition but with a new supplement to this invaluable guide to a complex period of Egyptian history. His focus is on the establishment of a firm chronology, which he bases on a wide range of evidence. The supplement takes into account the discoveries of more recent years.

Archaeology: Method and Theory (2005)

Our latest catalogue, Archaeology: Method and Theory 2005, is just about to be mailed out to anyone who has ever bought books from us on archaeological method and theory, the environment and landscapes, conservation and heritage, anthropology and museums, underwater archaeology and technology. If you think that this might not include you but if your interest has been tickled you can either request a paper copy from us or you can download it here. As with any new catalogue there is also a new list of Bargains and Good Deals.

• Contents (22 Kb)
• Book Descriptions (342 Kb)

• Bargain List (53 Kb)

Conferences we will be attending

TAG
Glasgow (Friday 17 December, 2004 - Sunday 19 December, 2004)
TAG 2004 will take place on the Gilmorehill Campus of the University of Glasgow, situated in the West End of Glasgow. All academic sessions will be convened in the Boyd Orr Building. Both the whisky reception and the TAG ceilidh are also held on campus, in the Hunterian Museum and the Queen Margaret Union respectively. The civic reception will be hosted by Glasgow City Council in the City Chambers on George Square in the city centre.