European Societies in the Bronze Age

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Cambridge University Press, May 18, 2000 - History - 552 pages
The Bronze Age, roughly 2500 to 750 BC, was the last fully prehistoric period in Europe and a crucial element in the formation of the Europe that emerged into history in the later first millennium BC. This book focuses on the material culture remains of the period, and through them provides an interpretation of the main trends in human development that occurred during this timespan. It pays particular attention to the discoveries and theoretical advances of the last twenty years that have necessitated a major revision of received opinions about many aspects of the Bronze Age. Arranged thematically, it reviews the evidence for a range of topics in cross-cultural fashion, defining which major characteristics of the period were universal and which culture and area-specific. The result is a comprehensive study that will be of value to specialists and students, while remaining accessible to the non-specialist.
 

Contents

INTRODUCTION
1
THE BRONZE AGE HOUSE AND VILLAGE
22
BURIAL
73
THE DOMESTIC ECONOMY
124
TRANSPORT AND CONTACT
164
METALS
197
OTHER CRAFTS
242
WARFARE
271
HOARDS AND HOARDING
352
PEOPLE
369
SOCIAL ORGANISATION
386
THE BRONZE AGE WORLD QUESTIONS OF SCALE AND INTERACTION
414
EPILOGUE
431
REFERENCES
436
INDEX
531
Copyright

RELIGION AND RITUAL
308

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