
Pagan and Christian
Religious Change in Early Medieval Europe
David Petts(Author)
Bristol Classical Press
Published on 26. May 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
144 pages
978-0-7156-3754-8 (ISBN)
Description
The conversion to Christianity was a key cultural process that saw the transformation of Europe from classical to medieval world. The growth of the Church has been closely linked with the development of other key institutions, such as the state. It has also been highlighted as a factor in changing attitudes to issues such as the body, time and landscapes. While the study of conversion in the early medieval world has increasingly become a focus for both historians and archaeologists, there has been a lack of engagement with the methodological and theoretical problems underpinning any attempt to explore the archaeology of belief. This book, illustrated with case studies and examples drawn from a range of sources, including the 'Celtic' west, Anglo-Saxon England, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, tackles some of these important issues. In particular it explores two under-theorised aspects of conversion: the relationship between archaeology and belief, and an attempt to re-centre the 'pagan' as a key element in the conversion process.
Reviews / Votes
This slim book successfully invites us to reflect on how we approach the study of religious belief and change with specific reference to the unique and highly significant circumstances of early medieval Europe . . . I like this book and will use it with my students, because it offers a well-reasoned critique and a persuasive way of (re)looking that can be considered across Europe, and it draws on a good range of supporting examples. -- Sally Foster, University of Aberdeen * Medieval Archaeology * This book would be a useful addition to any reading list for courses and modules dealing with conversion in the early Middle Ages. -- Alex Woolf, University of St Andrews, UK * Early Medieval Europe *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight
191 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7156-3754-8 (9780715637548)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
05/2011
1st Edition
Bristol Classical Press
€29.99
Available for download

E-Book
05/2011
1st Edition
Bristol Classical Press
€29.99
Available for download
Person
David Petts is Lecturer in Archaeology, University of Durham, UK.
Content
Acknowledgements
1. Early medieval religion in context
2. Approaching religion: archaeology and belief
3. Christianity and text
4. Deconstructing paganism
5. Religions in contact
Bibliography
Index
1. Early medieval religion in context
2. Approaching religion: archaeology and belief
3. Christianity and text
4. Deconstructing paganism
5. Religions in contact
Bibliography
Index