Archaeology, Ritual, ReligionThe archaeology of religion is a much neglected area, yet religious sites and artefacts constitute a major area of archaeological evidence. Timothy Insoll presents an introductory statement on the archaeology of religion, examining what archaeology can tell us about religion, the problems of defining and theorizing religion in archaeology, and the methodology, or how to 'do', the archaeology of religion. This volume assesses religion and ritual through a range of examples from around the world and across time, including prehistoric religions, shamanism, African religions, death, landscape and even food. Insoll also discusses the history of research and varying theories in this field before looking to future research directions. This book will be a valuable guide for students and archaeologists, and initiate a major area of debate. |
Contents
Introduction to the theme | 1 |
History of research | 33 |
Contemporary approaches | 65 |
The case studies | 101 |
Prospects and conclusion | 146 |
Bibliography | 157 |
178 | |
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Common terms and phrases
acknowledge African traditional religions analogy ancestors animal Anthropology approaches to religion archae archaeo archaeological data archaeological evidence archaeological study archaeology and religion archaeology of religion argued aspects belief Binford burial Cambridge Çatal Hüyük cognitive processualism complex concept considered contemporary context cult Dafra defined definition described Dogon elements Eliade emotion Equally ethnography example exist experience focus framework funerary gion Hence Hinduism history of religions Hodder ibid ideology indicated individual Insoll instance Islam landscape linked logical London manifest material culture meaning methodological middle palaeolithic Mircea Eliade myth Neanderthal neolithic noted notion numinous Oduduwa Ogun ology overall Oxford past perhaps perspective phenomenology Port Harcourt post-processual potential practice prehistoric prehistoric religion recognise reference relevant religious Renfrew ritual Routledge sacred secular shamanism shrine social society source of evidence structure study of religion suggested symbolic syncretism term terracotta theoretical Tilley tion Uduk University Press upper palaeolithic West Africa world religions Yoruba religion