The Goddess and the Bull

The Goddess and the Bull

Author: Michael Balter

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-06-16

Total Pages: 432

ISBN-13: 1315418401

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Veteran science writer Michael Balter skillfully weaves together many threads in this fascinating book about one of archaeology’s most legendary sites— Çatalhöyük. First excavated forty years ago, the site is justly revered by prehistorians, art historians, and New Age goddess worshippers alike for its spectacular finds dating almost 10,000 years ago. Archaeological maverick Ian Hodder, leader of the recent re-excavation at this Turkish mound, designated Balter as the project’s biographer. The result is a skillful telling of many stories about both past and present: of the inhabitants of Neolithic Çatalhöyük and the development of human creativity and ingenuity, as revealed in the recent excavation; of James Mellaart, the original excavator, whose troubles off the mound eventually overshadowed his incisive work at the site; of Hodder and his intense, brilliant crew who marveled and squabbled over the meaning of finds in dusty trenches while attempting to reintepret Mellaart’s work; and of the recent history of the theory and methods of archaeology itself. Part story of the human past, part soap opera of modern scholarly life, part textbook on the practice of modern archaeology, this book should appeal to general readers and archaeological students alike.


Rogues in the Gallery

Rogues in the Gallery

Author: Hugh McLeave

Publisher: Bitingduck Press LLC

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 183

ISBN-13: 091799082X

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Rogues in the Gallery exposes it all: the cozy insurance ransom racket, the professional gangs of art thieves, the specialists, the connections with the international drug racket and the Mafia. Hugh McLeave has researched the whys and wherefores of the question for years, drawing on resources available to him through agencies such as Interpol, the FBI, the French Sret(r), and Scotland Yard. Rogues in the Gallery is a lively and informed account of the causesOCoand limited curesOCoof this epidemic. It charts the classic outbreaks, portrays the rich gallery of protagonists, and defines what means there are to combat the disease. But even with sophisticated computers and Interpol, the total elimination of art theft is unlikely. As long as auction prices continue to rise and inflation devalues savings, the theft of precious objects will flourish. The lure of easy money is at the root. This is a serious book on an urgent problem, especially for those who collect art. For an author bio, photo, and a sample read visit bosonbooks.com"


Popular Controversies in World History [4 volumes]

Popular Controversies in World History [4 volumes]

Author: Steven L. Danver

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2010-12-22

Total Pages: 1516

ISBN-13: 1598840789

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Covering prehistoric times to the modern era, this fascinating resource presents pro-and-con arguments regarding unresolved, historic controversies throughout the development of the world. Popular Controversies in World History: Investigating History's Intriguing Questions offers uniquely compelling and educational examinations of pivotal events and puzzling phenomena, from the earliest evidence of human activity to controversial events of the 20th century. From the geographic location of human origins, to the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, to the innocence—or guilt—of Sacco and Vanzetti, Popular Controversies in World History: Investigating History's Intriguing Questions provides four volumes on the ongoing debates that have captivated both the historical community and the public at large. In each chapter, established experts offer credible opposing arguments pertaining to specific debates, providing readers with resources for independent critical thinking on the issue. This format allows students, scholars, and other interested readers to actively engage in some of the most intriguing conundrums facing historians today.


Encyclopedia of Dubious Archaeology

Encyclopedia of Dubious Archaeology

Author: Kenneth L. Feder

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2010-10-11

Total Pages: 306

ISBN-13: 031337919X

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This book provides a fascinating, encyclopedic antidote for the mysticism and pseudoscience surrounding well-known or highly publicized archaeological and anthropological "discoveries." Archaeology attempts to answer the question "where do we come from?" in the broadest sense possible; as a result, it is a highly interesting topic for all mankind. When did human beings first walk the earth? How did civilization develop? What compelled our human ancestors to build things like the pyramids, the Great Sphinx, or Monk's Mound? This book presents the widely unknown scientific facts behind the most popular and enthralling "mysteries" of our world from an expert archaeological perspective—and lays out the information and research in a manner that is approachable, engaging, and entertaining for any reader. Encyclopedia of Dubious Archaeology: From Atlantis to the Walam Olum contains detailed and highly descriptive definitions for—and explanations of—terms related to extraordinary claims about human antiquity and its study. Some of the terms in this extensive list of topics relate to archaeological hoaxes. Many of the entries relate to dubious interpretations of the human past; some of the terms relate to far-fetched arguments that actually have produced evidence in support of their veracity.


Costruirono i primi templi

Costruirono i primi templi

Author: Klaus Schmidt

Publisher: Oltre edizioni

Published: 2012-01-03

Total Pages: 369

ISBN-13: 8897264050

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NEL CUORE DELLA PREISTORIA Gobekli Tepe: una straordinaria scoperta archeologica che rivoluziona le nostre conoscenze sul remoto passato dell'uomo e getta una nuova luce sulle antiche tradizioni che hanno originato il racconto biblico della Genesi. Klaus Schmidt, l'archeologo scopritore del primo complesso templare dell'umanita', con questo libro ci conduce per mano dentro l'enigma che attanaglia da sempre gli studiosi della preistoria: donde veniamo e come siamo arrivati fin qui? Davanti a questa domanda cruciale, l'autore non si tira indietro ed avanza ipotesi narrando, in modo coinvolgente, il suo primo impatto con la misteriosa collina di Sanliurfa, nella Turchia orientale, e con i successivi eccezionali ritrovamenti, per poi descrivere con rigore la struttura dell'insediamento neolitico, cercando di interpretare il significato dei colossali pilastri a T disposti a cerchio ed istoriati con straordinari bassorilievi naturalistici o con simboli ancora tutti da decifrare. Il tutto 7000 anni prima delle grandi piramidi egizie e in tempi ancor piu' remoti rispetto all'innalzamento del primo megalite di Stonehenge. Il sito di Gobekli Tepe, con le sue meraviglie provenienti direttamente dall'era glaciale e con quelle che giacciono misteriosamente ancora sotto il manto di terra, e' destinato a cambiare radicalmente la comprensione delle tappe dell'avventura umana. 'La scoperta degli antichissimi templi di Gobekli Tepe (X millennio a.C.) permette per la prima volta di comprendere, con chiarezza senza uguali, come cacciatori e raccoglitori abbiano dato origine alla cultura degli agricoltori sedentari. Un libro affascinante sugli inizi della rivoluzione neolitica.' (Prof. Dr. Friedemann Schrenk, Direttore della sezione paleoantropologica del Senckenberg Museum di Francoforte) 'Questa è la storia della scoperta di un santuario monumentale che, a rigor di logica, non dovrebbe nemmeno esistere. Prima che venisse in luce, infatti, nessuno avrebbe creduto che i nostri predecessori, già 12000 anni fa, fossero in grado di realizzare opere d'arte e d'architettura di tale portata. In questo libro riccamente illustrato l'archeologo Klaus Schmidt, autore degli scavi, descrive quali forze propulsive abbiano potuto manifestarsi in un momento così cruciale per la storia della civilta' umana.'' (Umberto Tecchiati)


Contemporary Archaeology in Theory

Contemporary Archaeology in Theory

Author: Robert W. Preucel

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2011-10-04

Total Pages: 665

ISBN-13: 1444358510

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The second edition of Contemporary Archaeology in Theory: The New Pragmatism, has been thoroughly updated and revised, and features top scholars who redefine the theoretical and political agendas of the field, and challenge the usual distinctions between time, space, processes, and people. Defines the relevance of archaeology and the social sciences more generally to the modern world Challenges the traditional boundaries between prehistoric and historical archaeologies Discusses how archaeology articulates such contemporary topics and issues as landscape and natures; agency, meaning and practice; sexuality, embodiment and personhood; race, class, and ethnicity; materiality, memory, and historical silence; colonialism, nationalism, and empire; heritage, patrimony, and social justice; media, museums, and publics Examines the influence of American pragmatism on archaeology Offers 32 new chapters by leading archaeologists and cultural anthropologists


Spooky Archaeology

Spooky Archaeology

Author: Jeb J. Card

Publisher: University of New Mexico Press

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 424

ISBN-13: 0826359655

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By exploring the development of archaeology, this book helps us understand what archaeology is and why it matters.


Our Cosmic Ancestors

Our Cosmic Ancestors

Author: Maurice Chatelain

Publisher: Light Technology Publishing

Published: 1988

Total Pages: 222

ISBN-13: 0929686004

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Our Cosmic Ancestors is a dynamic work unraveling the messages of these 'universal astronauts' and decoding the symbols and visual mathematics they have left for us in the Egyptian Pyramids, Stonehenge, the Mayan calendar, the Maltese Cross and the Sumerian zodiac. The book is captivating reading from beginning to end. However Mr. Chatelain's purpose in sharing these exciting discoveries lies in the hope that all humans will extend their horizons, to release fear of the unknown just enough that another generation will exhibit growing curiosity to continue the search for signs of purposeful nurturing of this planet.


Community-Based Archaeology

Community-Based Archaeology

Author: Sonya Atalay

Publisher: Univ of California Press

Published: 2012-10-01

Total Pages: 327

ISBN-13: 0520953460

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Archaeology impacts the lives of indigenous, local, or descendant communities. Yet often these groups have little input to archaeological research, and its results remain inaccessible. As archaeologists consider the consequences and benefits of research, the skills, methodologies, and practices required of them will differ dramatically from those of past decades. As an archaeologist and a Native American, Sonya Atalay has investigated the rewards and complex challenges of conducting research in partnership with indigenous and local communities. In Community-Based Archaeology, she outlines the principles of community-based participatory research and demonstrates how CBPR can be effectively applied to archaeology. Drawing on her own experiences with research projects in North America and the Near East, Atalay provides theoretical discussions along with practical examples of establishing and developing collaborative relationships and sharing results. This book will contribute to building an archaeology that is engaged, ethical, relevant, and sustainable.