The Oxford Handbook of the European Iron Age

The Oxford Handbook of the European Iron Age provides a comprehensive overview of current knowledge of the archaeology of Europe from 1000 BC to the early historic periods, exploring various aspects of lifeways, economy, complexity, identity, ritual, and expression through 26 thematic chapters.

Format: Hardback
Length: 1424 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Oxford Handbook of the European Iron Age provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the archaeology of Europe during the period from 1000 BC to the early historic periods. Drawing on a wealth of new evidence generated by the recent surge in archaeological research and excavation, this handbook offers a detailed examination of the various aspects of Iron Age society.

The book is organized into three introductory chapters that provide context for the reader by situating the Iron Age in the broader historical and environmental framework. These chapters introduce the key periods, cultures, and regions that shaped the development of Iron Age Europe.

Following the introductory chapters, the book is divided into fourteen regional chapters that offer in-depth syntheses of the archaeological developments in different parts of the continent. These chapters cover a wide range of areas, from Ireland and Spain in the west to the borders with Asia in the east, from Scandinavia in the north to the Mediterranean shores in the south. Each regional chapter provides a concise overview of the cultural, social, and economic characteristics of the Iron Age societies in that particular region.

In addition to the regional chapters, the Oxford Handbook of the European Iron Age includes twenty-six thematic chapters that delve into specific aspects of Iron Age archaeology. These chapters cover a wide range of topics, including agricultural systems, settlements, landscape monuments, iron smelting and forging, production of textiles, politics, demography, gender, migration, funerary practices, social and religious rituals, coinage and literacy, and art and design. Each thematic chapter explores these topics in greater depth, providing a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects of Iron Age society.

The Oxford Handbook of the European Iron Age is an invaluable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the archaeology of Europe. It offers a comprehensive and up-to-date synthesis of the current knowledge and understanding of this important period, and it will be of great use to researchers and enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 2294g
Dimension: 186 x 254 x 54 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780199696826