![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Thus far our journey has taken eleven chapters. The main story begins when the Ice Ages ended, around ten thousand years ago, then Barry takes us on a quite stunning ride through the ages, starting with the hunter-gatherers of the Mesolithic, then the first farmers (Neolithic), then the Bronze, next the Iron Age and then the Roman ‘Episode’ – a chapter title which reminds us that Britain was only a part of the Roman Empire for some three and a half centuries. The book begins with a brief review of early archaeology. You’ll have to concentrate, especially if you’re still new to archaeology, but I can assure you, it’ll be well worth the effort. But it’s not a particularly easy read: it won’t drift over you, like, say an Ian Rankin novel. Rather like the author himself, it’s very learned, very well-informed but always very approachable. For a start, the book is very well and clearly written. ![]() The author is the acknowledged leading authority on the Iron Age.Įven so, all of this sounds rather daunting: a mega-volume by a mega-archaeology star. And of course it’s produced to Oxford University Press’s exacting and very high standards. Either way, it’s unbelievably good value for money, with some 500 pages and hundreds of excellent plans, drawings and monochrome photos. In theory it costs thirty quid, but you could probably get it for closer to twenty. Britain Begins is the title of Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe’s latest book from Oxford University Press. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |