
An Archaeology of Materials
Substantial Transformations in Early Prehistoric Europe
Chantal Conneller(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 9. December 2010
Book
Hardback
168 pages
978-0-415-88130-2 (ISBN)
Description
An Archaeology of Materials sets out a new approach to the study of raw materials. Traditional understandings of materials in archaeology (and in western thought more widely) have failed to acknowledge both the complexity and, moreover, the benefits of an analysis of materials. Here Conneller argues that materials cannot be understood independently of the practices through which they are constituted. Drawing on a number of different thinkers, and using case studies from the European early Prehistoric period, she investigates how we can rethink the properties of matter and the relationship of material and form.
What emerges from this book is the variability and the specificity of human-material interactions and the rather more active role that matter plays in these than traditionally conceived. Rather than being insignificant, a formless substrate or simply a constraint to human action, it is argued that materials are more fundamental. Tracing the processes by which the properties of past materials emerge reveals the working of past worlds, particularly articulations of the cultural, the natural and the supernatural. This book will establish a new perspective on the meaning and significance of materials, particularly those involved in mundane, daily usage, and will be a timely addition to the literature on technologies and materials.
What emerges from this book is the variability and the specificity of human-material interactions and the rather more active role that matter plays in these than traditionally conceived. Rather than being insignificant, a formless substrate or simply a constraint to human action, it is argued that materials are more fundamental. Tracing the processes by which the properties of past materials emerge reveals the working of past worlds, particularly articulations of the cultural, the natural and the supernatural. This book will establish a new perspective on the meaning and significance of materials, particularly those involved in mundane, daily usage, and will be a timely addition to the literature on technologies and materials.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
21 s/w Photographien bzw. Rasterbilder, 1 s/w Tabelle
1 Tables, black and white; 21 Halftones, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
406 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-88130-2 (9780415881302)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Chantal Conneller
An Archaeology of Materials
Substantial Transformations in Early Prehistoric Europe
Book
05/2014
1st Edition
Routledge
€83.00
Shipment within 10-20 days

Chantal Conneller
An Archaeology of Materials
Substantial Transformations in Early Prehistoric Europe
E-Book
03/2012
Routledge
€77.99
Available for download

Chantal Conneller
An Archaeology of Materials
Substantial Transformations in Early Prehistoric Europe
E-Book
03/2012
Routledge
€77.99
Available for download
Person
Chantal Conneller is a lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Manchester. Her research focuses on the European Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic; she has also worked extensively as a lithic specialist. She is the editor with Graeme Warren of Mesolithic Britain and Ireland. New Approaches.
Content
Introduction. Making Materials Matter 1. Forming Materials 2. Animal Materials 3. The Materiality of Stone 4. Materials Worlds Conclusion. Substantial Transformations