Objects: Reluctant Witness to the Past

An invaluable field textbook, Objects examines detailed case studies to provide a brilliantly clear and comprehensible guide to the different methods and approaches (cultural, forensic, and technical) which can and have been used to study ancient artefacts.

From the Bayeux Tapestry to small medieval brass pins, medieval wooden doors to Saxon jewellery, Chris Caple’s integral text deals with a full range of materials and clearly and simply explains key scientific techniques, technology, anthropological jargon and historical approaches.

Key demonstrations include:

• how information from objects builds into a picture of the ancient society that made and used it
• the commonly used scientific techniques for object analysis
• how and why object typologies work
• how cultural and economic factors as well as the material properties influences what objects are made of
• how simple observation of an object can build its biography.

Revealing answers to crucial questions – such as: Can DNA be obtained from objects? Why do people x-ray ancient artefacts? Can you determine the source of metal objects from their trace elements? – Objects is an absolutely essential text for students of archaeology, museum studies, and conservation.

This book provides a clear, practical structured approach to studying archaeological and historic objects. The text, which includes nine detailed case studies, acts as a comprehensible guide to the different methods and approaches (cultural, forensic, technical) which can and have been used to study ancient artifacts.

· Shows how information obtained from objects builds into a picture of the ancient society that made and used the object
· Explains the commonly used scientific techniques for object analysis
· Reveals how and why object typologies work
· Demonstrates that cultural and economic factors as well as the properties of materials influence what objects are made of
· Demonstrates how simple observation of an object can be built into a biography of the object
· Reveals the answers to such questions as:
o Can DNA be obtained from objects?
o Why did artists sign their pictures?
o Why do people X-ray ancient artifacts?
o Can you determine the source of metal objects from their trace elements?

This book is designed to provide a clear and comprehensive textbook to all archaeology, conservation and museum students who are studying artifacts. It will help them appreciate the detailed scientific and technological information and come to grips with the jargon of anthropological and art historical approaches to studying artifacts.