[eighteenSmiles]

I was not sure where to put this but hey...
Im hopefully starting a BA in archaeology in october and was just wondering if anyone has any recommendations of some reading i could do before i start? I know i will get info from the university before i go but it will at least give me something to do over the summer now that A levels are finished!

Any areas will do, i have looked in bookshops but the archaeology department is not very impressive, slightly limited to the A level text book and the time team anual reviews....i would much prefer something a bit interesting, theories, time periods, im not fussy!

Thanks!

[ancientone]

If you want a basic introductory read, that's quite extensive and readable, then Matthew Johnson's 'Archaeological Theory - an Introduction' is a good starting place. I guarantee you that you'll also be quoting from it all the way through your course - I've just used it in my MA dissertation so it will not just sit on the shelf after a few weeks.

Plus he also introduces you to the Roger Beefy's of this world.

[eighteenSmiles]

Oh brill thankyou i shall endevour to get a copy of it!

[Catsmeat]

Originally Posted by eighteenSmiles

I was not sure where to put this but hey...
Im hopefully starting a BA in archaeology in october and was just wondering if anyone has any recommendations of some reading i could do before i start? I know i will get info from the university before i go but it will at least give me something to do over the summer now that A levels are finished!

Any areas will do, i have looked in bookshops but the archaeology department is not very impressive, slightly limited to the A level text book and the time team anual reviews....i would much prefer something a bit interesting, theories, time periods, im not fussy!

Thanks!

I imagine that you're referring to Renfrew & Bahn? If not, their text has become a thorough introduction to archaeological practice and theory, running to about five editions.

A very coherent and detailed synthesis is Scarre's The Human Past, dealing with archaeology on a regional and thematic basis. The writing team don't deal with much historical archaeology, yet it provides a thorough grounding in prehistory. Equally, Robert Wenke's Patterns in Prehistory has always seemed quite popular.

In terms of theory, I'd recommend Hodder and Hutson's Reading Archaeology. I'd not suggest burrowing too deeply too soon, rather, take the opportunity to examine the texts mentioned above. You may discover an area that you may not have considered before, perhaps even the archaeology of an entire region that recieves little attention in mainstream archaeology (i.e., the archaeology of Korea, or that of the US Woodland Culture).