Early Medieval Scotland: Individuals, Communities and Ideas - Hardcover

Clarke, David; Blackwell, Alice; Goldberg, Martin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1905267630 ISBN 13: 9781905267637

Publisher: NMSE - Publishing Ltd, 2012

Synopsis

The time in Scotland after the Romans and before the Vikings used to be known by scholars as the 'Dark Age'. Much light has now been shed on it; although there is a lack of historical documentation, archaeology has provided new information - and it is astounding. Surviving objects demonstrate that Scotland was part of a sophisticated network and that craftsmen had mastered complex technologies, as shown by the elaborately carved Hilton of Cadboll stone, the house-shaped Monymusk Reliquary, and the sumptuously decorated Hunterston brooch (which can all be seen in the National Museum of Scotland). The book: argues that archaeological material surviving from this time needs to be treated on its own terms and not made to fit historical texts; tells stories backed up by archaeological evidence under the headings Individuals/Communities/Ideas and Ideologies; and does not deconstruct previous studies of the period but highlights the possibilities provided by the material culture evidence.

About this title

Review:

' ... The general layout of the book is pleasing to the eye and the 150+ photographs are sufficiently large and clear. ... contains new information and new images, and at such a low price deserves a place on the shelves of anybody interested in amber, in addition to those interested in the cultural history and folklore of Scotland.' Palaeontology Association Newsletter ' ... The three authors of this book have each been allocated broad themes within which to interpret aspects of early medieval Scotland. This has resulted in text that is interesting and thought-provoking throughout. ... milestone in Scottish archaeological publishing ... will also be appreciated for the high quality of its photographic content, providing a luxuriant visual record of so many of the surviving objects from early medieval Scotland.' Scottish Local History

About the Author:

David Clarke is a former Keeper of the Department of Archaeology, National Museums Scotland Alice Blackwell is Glenmorangie Research Officer, National Museums Scotland Martin Goldberg is Curator of Early Historic & Viking Collections, National Museums Scotland

About this edition

• Publisher: NMSE - Publishing Ltd
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1905267630
• ISBN 13: 9781905267637
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256