John Peter Wild

Although published over 30 years ago now, Wild’s short publication on textiles in archaeology still provides a strong starting point for anyone who is unfamiliar with or has an interest in filthy old rags. Wild covers textile preservation, historic dyes, manufacturing typologies and most thoroughly: traditional craft. The content itself, like most Shire publications, is delivered in a straightforward and easy-to-pick-up manner. While textile preservation and analysis has moved forward since 1988, much of the principles as presented by Wild endure. Textiles in Archaeology compacts a complex sub-discipline into a lean book that thoroughly serves its purpose.

Reviewed by Ryan.

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Sean McGrail

How did our ancestors move across the water? From lakes, to seas, to oceans, this book covers some of the types of ancient watercraft used in the past. McGrail condenses a lot of information into an easy to understand format, while shedding light on ancient boats and ships from across both time and space. Well-illustrated and explained, McGrail combines elements of archaeological theory and method by providing fascinating real-life examples from around the globe. Water transport can give insights into a myriad of aspects of past societies; from social life and belief, to connectivity and trade. Although a short book, it serves as an excellent introduction to the early nautical aspect of maritime archaeology.

Reviewed by Site Editor.

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Louise Humphrey & Chris Stringer

Our understanding of our human past and evolution continues to change constantly. You may have heard of names such as Homo Erectus and the Neanderthals but how do they relate to our own species, Homo Sapiens? What, if any, links are there between now extinct hominin species that once shared the earth in the distant past? Our Human Story is your introductory guidebook to our human relatives and the evolution of our species. Humphrey and Stringer take time to explain the challenges and pitfalls of our understanding of evolution but also how it has improved. The authors take a necessary sophsticated approach between presenting the facts and also admitting when this or that piece of data may be unreliable or needs further evidence to support a certain claim. Discover amazing sites that are millions of years old and see what traces our ancestors left behind.

Reviewed by Site Editor.

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