Chris Caseldine's Books

Most Unimaginably Strange

An Eclectic Companion to the Landscape of Iceland

By: Chris Caseldine

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Most Unimaginably Strange

An Eclectic Companion to the Landscape of Iceland

By: Chris Caseldine

For all who yearn to travel to the home of the sagas, a beautifully illustrated companion to the terrain of Iceland—from puffins to ponies, glaciers and volcanoes to legendary trolls. Described by William Morris as “most unimaginably strange,” the landscape of Iceland has fascinated and inspired travelers, scientists, artists, and writers throughout history. This book provides a contemporary understanding of the landscape as a whole, not only its iconic glaciers and volcanoes, but also its deserts, canyons, plants, and animals. The book examines historic and modern scientific studies of the landscape and animals, as well as accounts of early visitors to the land. These were captivating people, some eccentric but most drawn to Iceland by an enthrallment with all things northern, a desire to experience the land of the sagas, or plain scientific and touristic curiosity. Featuring many spectacular illustrations, this is a fine exploration of a most singular landscape.

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342

Publisher

Reaktion Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1789144736

ISBN 13

9781789144734

Excavations at Dryslwyn Castle 1980-1995

By: Chris Caple

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Excavations at Dryslwyn Castle 1980-1995

By: Chris Caple

Excavations at Dryslwyn between 1980 and 1995 uncovered a masonry castle, founded in the late 1220s by Rhys Gryg for his son Maredudd ap Rhys, the first Lord of Dryslwyn. The first castle was a simple round tower and polygonal walled enclosure, within which were constructed a kitchen, prison and wood-framed, clay-floored great chamber beside a great hall. In the mid 13th century a second ward was added and the great chamber rebuilt in stone. This castle was greatly expanded in the period 1283-87 by Rhys ap Maredudd, the second and final Lord of Dryslwyn, who built an Outer Ward and gatehouse. He also rebuilt much of the Inner Ward, adding an extra storey to the great hall and great chamber, apartments and a chapel. At the end of the 13th century a large three-ward castle stretched along the eastern and southern edge of the hill while the rest of the hilltop was occupied by a settlement defended by a wall and substantial ditch with access through a gatehouse. This castle and its associated settlement were besieged and captured in 1287 by an English royal army of over 11,000 men following damage inflicted by a trebuchet and mining of the walls. Throughout the 14th century the English Crown garrisoned and repaired the castle, supervised by an appointed constable, before it was surrendered to Owain Glyn Dwr in 1403. During the early to mid 15th century the castle was deliberately walled up to deny its use to a potential enemy and it was subsequently looted and demolished. By the late 13th century, the castle had a white rendered and lime-washed appearance, creating a very dramatic and highly visible symbol of lordship. Internally, the lord's and guest apartments had decorative wall paintings and glazed windows. Evidence from charred beams still in situ, the sizes, shapes and distribution of nails, sheet lead, slates and postholes recovered during excavation has enabled some of the wooden as well as masonry buildings to be reconstructed. Waterlogged deposits had preserved a rich assemblage of seeds, birds, fish and animal bone which reveal evidence of the dining habits of Welsh lords, their guests and household. Of particular interest are the finds associated with the siege of 1287 which include a knop-headed mace, spearheads and armour-piercing arrowheads which indicates that the longbow was the weapon of choice. Damage and repairs to the castle walls correlate with historic accounts while three stone balls recovered by the excavation were undoubtedly thrown by the trebuchet recorded in contemporary accounts.

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Page Count

641

Publisher

Routledge

Published Date

ISBN 10

1351194852

ISBN 13

9781351194853

The Fields of Britannia

Continuity and Change in the Late Roman and Early Medieval Landscape

By: Stephen Rippon,Chris Smart (Archaeologist),Ben Pears

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The Fields of Britannia

Continuity and Change in the Late Roman and Early Medieval Landscape

By: Stephen Rippon,Chris Smart (Archaeologist),Ben Pears

It has long been recognized that the landscape of Britain is one of the 'richest historical records we possess', but just how old is it? The Fields of Britannia is the first book to explore how far the countryside of Roman Britain has survived in use through to the present day, shaping the character of our modern countryside. Commencing with a discussion of the differing views of what happened to the landscape at the end of Roman Britain, the volume then brings together the results from hundreds of archaeological excavations and palaeoenvironmental investigations in order to map patterns of land-use across Roman and early medieval Britain. In compiling such extensive data, the volume is able to reconstruct regional variations in Romano-British and early medieval land-use using pollen, animal bones, and charred cereal grains to demonstrate that agricultural regimes varied considerably and were heavily influenced by underlying geology. We are shown that, in the fifth and sixth centuries, there was a shift away from intensive farming but very few areas of the landscape were abandoned completely. What is revealed is a surprising degree of continuity: the Roman Empire may have collapsed, but British farmers carried on regardless, and the result is that now, across large parts of Britain, many of these Roman field systems are still in use.

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Page Count

472

Publisher

Oxford University Press, USA

Published Date

ISBN 10

0199645825

ISBN 13

9780199645824

The Neolithic of the Irish Sea

By: Chris Fowler

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The Neolithic of the Irish Sea

By: Chris Fowler

This collection of 24 papers aims to reconsider the nature and significance of the Irish Sea as an area of cultural interaction during the Neolithic period. The traditional character of work across this region has emphasised the existence of prehistoric contact, with sea routes criss-crossing between Ireland, the Isle of Man, Anglesey and the British mainland. A parallel course of investigation, however, has demonstrated that the British and Irish Neolithics were in many ways different, with distinct indigenous patterns of activity and social practices. The recent emphasis on regional studies has further produced evidence for parallel yet different processes of cultural change taking place throughout the British Isles as a whole. This volume brings together some of these regional perspectives and compares them across the Irish Sea area. The authors consider new ways to explain regional patterning in the use of material objects and relate them to past practices and social strategies. Were there practices that were shared across the Irish Sea area linking different styles of monuments and material culture, or were the media intrinsic to the message? The volume is based on papers presented at a conference held at the University of Manchester in 2002.

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Page Count

257

Publisher

Oxbow Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1785700383

ISBN 13

9781785700385

Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology

By: Paul Goldberg,Richard I. Macphail,Chris Carey,Yijie Zhuang

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Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology

By: Paul Goldberg,Richard I. Macphail,Chris Carey,Yijie Zhuang

Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology, Second Edition, provides an invaluable and vastly updated overview of geoarchaeology and how it can be used effectively in the study of archaeological sites and contexts. Taking a pragmatic and functional approach, this book presents: a fundamental, broad-based perspective of the essentials of modern geoarchaeology in order to demonstrate the breadth of the approaches and the depth of the problems that it can tackle. the rapid advances made in the area in recent years, but also gives the reader a firm grasp of conventional approaches. covers traditional topics with the emphasis on landscapes, as well as anthropogenic deposits and site formation processes and their investigation. provides guidelines for the presentation of field and laboratory methods and the reporting of geoarchaeological results. essential reading for archaeology undergraduate and graduate students, practicing archaeologists and geoscientists who need to understand and apply geoarchaeological methodologies, and help foster the dialog among diverse researchers investigating archaeological sites. Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology, Second Edition, is an ideal resource for undergraduate and graduate students in archaeology, and a great practical reference for practicing archaeologists and geoscientists who need to understand and apply geoarchaeological methodologies internationally.

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Page Count

708

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons

Published Date

ISBN 10

1119413192

ISBN 13

9781119413196

Environmental Archaeology

Theoretical and Practical Approaches

By: Chris Turney,Matthew Canti,Nick Branch,Peter Clark

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Environmental Archaeology

Theoretical and Practical Approaches

By: Chris Turney,Matthew Canti,Nick Branch,Peter Clark

Environmental Archaeology: Theoretical and Practical Approaches outlines and assesses the various methods used to reconstruct and explain the past interaction between people and their environment. Emphasising the importance of a highly scientific approach to the subject, the book combines geoarchaeological, bioarchaeological (archaeobotany and zooarchaeology) and geochronological information and examines how these various aspects of archaeology may be used to enhance our knowledge and understanding of past human environments. Drawing from both the practical experiences of the authors and cutting-edge research, Environmental Archaeology: Theoretical and Practical Approaches is a valuable contribution to the subject. It will be essential reading for students and professionals in archaeology, geography and anthropology.

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Page Count

395

Publisher

Routledge

Published Date

ISBN 10

1134664516

ISBN 13

9781134664511

Landscape, Tradition and Power in Medieval Iceland

Dalir and the Eyjafjörður region c.870-c.1265

By: Chris Callow

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Landscape, Tradition and Power in Medieval Iceland

Dalir and the Eyjafjörður region c.870-c.1265

By: Chris Callow

In this volume Chris Callow provides a critical reading of the evidence for changes in Iceland’s socio-political structures from its colonisation to the 1260s when leading Icelanders swore oaths of loyalty to the Norwegian king.

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Page Count

417

Publisher

BRILL

Published Date

ISBN 10

9004331603

ISBN 13

9789004331600

Ice, Mud and Blood

By: Chris Turney

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Ice, Mud and Blood

By: Chris Turney

Imagine a world of wildly escalating temperatures, apocalyptic flooding, devastating storms and catastrophic sea levels. This might sound like a prediction for the future or the storyline of a new Hollywood blockbuster but it’s actually what occurred on earth in the past. In a day and age when worrying forecasts for future climate change are the norm, it seems hard to believe that such things happened regularly over time. Can humankind decipher the past and learn from it? As science gains new understanding of how the planet works, it’s becoming increasingly clear that no one place is disconnected from anywhere else. From the Alps to the Andes, seemingly unrelated parts of the world are connected in one way or another. By reading this book you’ll realize that we're facing challenges beyond anything our species has had to contend with before.

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Page Count

256

Publisher

Macmillan

Published Date

ISBN 10

0230553834

ISBN 13

9780230553835

Objects

Reluctant Witnesses to the Past

By: Chris Caple

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Objects

Reluctant Witnesses to the Past

By: Chris Caple

An invaluable field textbook, Objects examines detailed case studies to provide a brilliantly clear and comprehensible guide to the different methods and approaches (cultural, forensic, and technical) which can and have been used to study ancient artefacts. From the Bayeux Tapestry to small medieval brass pins, medieval wooden doors to Saxon jewellery, Chris Caple’s integral text deals with a full range of materials and clearly and simply explains key scientific techniques, technology, anthropological jargon and historical approaches. Key demonstrations include: how information from objects builds into a picture of the ancient society that made and used it the commonly used scientific techniques for object analysis how and why object typologies work how cultural and economic factors as well as the material properties influences what objects are made of how simple observation of an object can build its biography. Revealing answers to crucial questions – such as: Can DNA be obtained from objects? Why do people x-ray ancient artefacts? Can you determine the source of metal objects from their trace elements? – Objects is an absolutely essential text for students of archaeology, museum studies, and conservation.

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Page Count

338

Publisher

Routledge

Published Date

ISBN 10

1134403097

ISBN 13

9781134403097

English Landscapes and Identities

Investigating Landscape Change from 1500 BC to AD 1086

By: Chris Gosden,Chris Green,Anwen Cooper,Miranda Creswell,Victoria Donnelly,Tyler Franconi,Roger Glyde,Zena Kamash,Sarah Mallet,Laura Morley,Daniel Stansbie,Letty ten Harkel

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English Landscapes and Identities

Investigating Landscape Change from 1500 BC to AD 1086

By: Chris Gosden,Chris Green,Anwen Cooper,Miranda Creswell,Victoria Donnelly,Tyler Franconi,Roger Glyde,Zena Kamash,Sarah Mallet,Laura Morley,Daniel Stansbie,Letty ten Harkel

Long before the Norman Conquest of 1066, England saw periods of profound change that transformed the landscape and the identities of those who occupied it. The Bronze and Iron Ages saw the introduction of now-familiar animals and plants, such as sheep, horses, wheat, and oats, as well as new forms of production and exchange and the first laying out of substantial fields and trackways, which continued into the earliest Romano-British landscapes. The Anglo-Saxon period saw the creation of new villages based around church and manor, with ridge and furrow cultivation strips still preserved today. The basis for this volume is The English Landscapes and Identities project, which synthesised all the major available sources of information on English archaeology to examine this crucial period of landscape history from the middle Bronze Age (c. 1500 BC) to the Domesday survey (c. 1086 AD). It looks at the nature of archaeological work undertaken across England to assess its strengths and weaknesses when writing long-term histories. Among many other topics it examines the interaction of ecology and human action in shaping the landscape; issues of movement across the landscape in various periods; changing forms of food over time; an understanding of spatial scale; and questions of enclosing and naming the landscape, culminating in a discussion of the links between landscape and identity. The result is the first comprehensive account of the English landscape over a crucial 2500-year period. It also offers a celebration of many centuries of archaeological work, especially the intensive large-scale investigations that have taken place since the 1960s and transformed our understanding of England's past.

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Page Count

497

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0192643606

ISBN 13

9780192643605

Most Unimaginably Strange

An Eclectic Companion to the Landscape of Iceland

By: Chris Caseldine

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Most Unimaginably Strange

An Eclectic Companion to the Landscape of Iceland

By: Chris Caseldine

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Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

342

Publisher

Reaktion Books

Published Date

ISBN 10

1789144736

ISBN 13

9781789144734

Book's by Chris Caseldine

Most Unimaginably Strange

Most Unimaginably Strange

Excavations at Dryslwyn Castle 1980-1995

Excavations at Dryslwyn Castle 1980-1995

The Fields of Britannia

The Fields of Britannia

The Neolithic of the Irish Sea

The Neolithic of the Irish Sea

Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology

Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology

Environmental Archaeology

Environmental Archaeology

Landscape, Tradition and Power in Medieval Iceland

Landscape, Tradition and Power in Medieval Iceland

Ice, Mud and Blood

Ice, Mud and Blood

Objects

Objects

English Landscapes and Identities

English Landscapes and Identities

Most Unimaginably Strange

Most Unimaginably Strange

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