Reference for History

With over 4,000 entries covering the essential vocabulary for everyday archaeological work in the English language, this up-to-date dictionary is the most wide-ranging and comprehensive of its kind.

Written by a researcher and librarian expert in the fields of social and cultural anthropology, this accessible, hands-on reference is designed to enlighten those newly engaged in anthropological study or seeking a quick guide to the field.

This dictionary comprises more than 400 entries, providing concise, authoritative definitions for a range of concepts, important intellectual figures, and findings. Entries include adaptation and kinship, scientific racism, and writing culture, providing its readers with a wide-ranging overview of the subject.

These entries are supplementary to other archaeology titles in the Quick Reference collection, and are written by specialist authors. The dictionary is an ongoing project, and more entries will be added over time.

Archaeology is a vast subject--it is the study of human society everywhere in the world, from distant human origins 3-4 million years ago up to the present day. The Oxford Handbook of Archaeology brings together 35 authors--all specialists in their own fields--to explain what archaeology is really about. This is one of the most comprehensive treatments of the subject and of the key debates ever attempted. It is designed to open up the world of archaeology to non-specialists and to provide an essential starting point for those who want to pursue particular topics in more depth.