An Archaeology of the Early Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms

by C.J. Arnold

An Archaeology of the Early Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms is a volume which offers an unparalleled view of the archaeological remains of the period. Using the development of the kingdoms as a framework, this study closely examines the wealth of material evidence and analyzes its significance to our understanding of the society that created it. From our understanding of the migrations of the Germanic peoples into the British Isles, the subsequent patterns of settlement, land-use, trade, through to social hierarchy and cultural identity within the kingdoms, this fully revised edition illuminates one of the most obscure and misunderstood periods in European history.

Genres: Archaeology, History, Nonfiction, Anglo Saxon, British Literature, Medieval

280 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1988

Reviews

[Carole-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have the 1988 paperback edition of this HB

[Flint Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archeologists are a unique breed. They are asked to lecture and to work out in the field during their summers. Their work forces them to be mathematical, anal, in order to record precisely where finds are made, on a three-dimensional model. And with that in place, they must determine what they have found and how it does or does not apply to the dig they are in the middle of. That last quality, of being imaginative, does not normally fall into the broad abilities of a typical archeologist. Nevertheless, they must have it to interpret the evidence in front of them with fresh eyes.

That most do not, and that the work is unusually taxing, has one foreseeable result; it is easier to find what someone else has decided and copy that down and most do. In many cases they are right, but that mindset also means that when artifacts do not match with the known facts they are often made to. Not so with Professor Arnold. This book is filled with innovative ideas that force the reader to look at the period from a different perspective, socially as well as culturally. I was deeply impressed with his handling of the materials. I am only disappointed that he didn't write more.