The Oxford Handbook of Neolithic Europe

The Oxford Handbook of Neolithic Europe

The Neolithic --a period in which the first sedentary agrarian communities were established across much of Europe--has been a key topic of archaeological research for over a century. However, the variety of evidence across Europe, the range of languages in which research is carried out, and the way research traditions in different countries have developed makes it very difficult for both students and specialists to gain an overview of continent-wide trends. The Oxford Handbook of Neolithic Europe provides the first comprehensive, geographically extensive, thematic overview of the European Neolithic --from Iberia to Russia and from Norway to Malta --offering both a general introduction and a clear exploration of key issues and current debates surrounding evidence and interpretation. Chapters written by leading experts in the field examine topics such as the movement of plants, animals, ideas, and people (including recent trends in the application of genetics and isotope analyses); cultural change (from the first appearance of farming to the first metal artefacts); domestic architecture; subsistence; material culture; monuments; and burial and other treatments of the dead. In doing so, the volume also considers the history of research and sets out agendas and themes for future work in the field. "The conceptualization, planning, and publication of the Oxford Handbook of Neolithic Europe constitute a commendable endeavour in the field of Neolithic studies. The editors have accomplished an altogether ambitious project that has resulted in the establishment of a reference book for both archaeology students and specialists. This volume captures the increasingly dynamic nature of the current field of European Neolithic studies and at the same time makes a significant contribution to the history of research in the discipline." -- Evita Kalogiropoulou, The Archaeological Journal " The Oxford Handbook of Neolithic Europe represents an important contribution to world literature." -- Jaromír Benes¡ and Tereza Majerovicová, IANSA: Interdisciplinaria archaeologica Chris Fowler, Head of Archaeology & Senior Lecturer in Prehistoric Archaeology, Newcastle University ,Jan Harding, Senior Lecturer in Prehistoric Archaeology, Newcastle University ,Daniela Hofmann, Junior Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology, Hamburg University Chris Fowler, Senior Lecturer in Prehistoric Archaeology, Newcastle University. Jan Harding, Senior Lecturer in Prehistoric Archaeology, Newcastle University. Daniela Hofmann, Junior Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology, Hamburg University.