Glyn Daniel (1914–1986)

An interesting look at how bias and the techniques of archaeology have changed the perception of early man and how pre-literate society is thought of. This was first published in the 1960's and is a series of lectures that the author gave in the 1950's but as it is a look at the history of antiquarianism and prehistory it is still a good book though there have been many advances in the subject. I like the author's style and the way he presents the history he talks about. Though there are fifty years between the publication of this book and now many of the things he discusses are relevant to the study of antiquarians, collectors and archaeologists and, even though our understanding of prehistory has changed, I still think this is a good book.… (mais)

http://nhw.livejournal.com/893833.html

I didn't learn a lot from this book, published half a century ago with a 1961 update for the paperback edition explaining that the new-fangled radiocarbon dating meant all their previous chronological assumptions were definitely wrong. Daniel just lists by typology all the known megalithic tombs in different parts of Western Europe, and about the only conclusion you can draw from the book is that the borders between ancient cultures were not where the modern borders are. I would like to find something more up to date, and more interesting, on this subject.… (mais)