The Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology of Ritual and Religion

by Timothy Insoll (Editor)

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 Palaeolithic 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.

Over the years, he progressed from Reader in 2004 to receiving a personal chair in 2005. In 2016, he relocated to the University of Exeter. Timothy Insoll boasts an impressive literary portfolio, having authored or edited 16 books, three special journal issues, and numerous articles and reviews, all spanning a diverse range of research topics within the field of archaeology. His extensive fieldwork experience encompasses locations such as Mali, Ghana, western India, Bahrain, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Uganda.