by Timothy Insoll (Editor)
Publication date: August 25, 2020
Language: English
Paperback: 1136 pages
ISBN-10: 0198858051
ISBN-13: 978-0198858058
The Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology of Ritual and Religion presents a comprehensive examination, organized by both historical period and geographic region, of the pertinent archaeological material concerning theory, methodology, definitions, and practices. Although its title suggests a primary focus on the archaeological exploration of rituals and religions, it is a necessity to incorporate concepts and evidence from various other disciplines, including anthropology, ethnography, religious studies, and history.
This handbook encompasses a global scope, delving into Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, and the Americas. Its coverage spans from the earliest prehistoric periods, such as the Lower and Middle Paleolithic eras, to modern times. Additionally, the individual chapters address a wide array of subjects, encompassing themes from landscapes to death, taboos to water, gender to rites of passage, and rituals to fasting and feasting.
Written by a distinguished group of over sixty specialists in their respective fields, this handbook encapsulates the cutting edge of contemporary scholarship. It serves as both a comprehensive introduction to its subject matter and a catalyst for further research and exploration.
About the Author
Timothy Insoll is a Professor of African and Islamic Archaeology at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter. He received his education from the Universities of Sheffield and Cambridge and served as a Research Fellow at St John’s College, Cambridge, from 1995 to 1998. Subsequently, he was appointed as a Lecturer at the University of Manchester.
