Science and Archaeology of Materials

The Science and Archaeology of Materialsis set to become the definitive work in the archaeology of materials. Henderson's highly illustrated work is an accessible and fascinating textbook which will be essential reading for all practical archaeologists. With clear sections on a wide range of materials including ceramics, glass, metals and stone, this work examines the very foundations of archaeological study. Anyone interested in ancient technologies, especially those involving high temperatures, kilns and furnaces will be able to follow in each chapter how raw materials are refined, transformed and shaped into objects. This description is then followed by appropriate case studies which provide a new chronological and geographical example of how scientific and archaeological aspects can and do interact. They include *Roman pale green and highly decorated glas *17th Century glass in Britain and Europ *the effect of the introduction of the wheel on pottery technolog *the technology of Celadon ceramic *early copper metallurgy in the Middle Eas *chemical analysis and lead isotope analysis of British Bronze *early copper alloy metallurgy in Thailan *the chemical analysis of obsidian and its distributio *the origins of the Stonehenge bluestone This book shows how archaeology and science intersect and fe ed off each other. Modern scientific techniques have provided data which, when set within a fully integrated archaeological context, have the potential of contributing to mainstream archaeology. This holistic approach generates a range of connections which benefits both areas and will enrich archaeological study in the future.