The Archaeology Coursebook: An Introduction to Study Skills, Topics and Methods

Thanks are due to the many people who provided both moral and practical help with this book. Sam’s colleagues in the East Midlands supplied advice on current archaeological practice, in particular Mick Jones, City of Lincoln archaeologist, and James Megoran who both read the proofs and whose thoughtful suggestions for improvement were extremely valuable. Neil’s colleagues in Barcelona - Toni, Christina, Paloma and Javier - provided inspiration and constructive criticism and he received much practical help from Christ’s Hospital School. I was provided with ideas and sources by Royston Clark, Sarah Cole, Don Henson, Richard Reece, Nick Trustram-Eve and Robin Wichard. In addition there were many people who responded to my requests for information and pictures, particularly on the Britarch news group.

Our students at Cirencester College, Christ’s Hospital School and Newark and Sherwood College have been guinea pigs for much of the material and their feedback has been valuable in fine-tuning the text. Thanks are also due to those who kindled our own interest in archaeology, particularly Pat Carter and John Alexander at Cambridge, Malcolm Todd at Nottingham and Richard Bradley at Reading. No one forgets a good teacher! Finally, this book would never have happened had Vicky Peters at Routledge not believed in it and Moira Taylor and her team not shown me how to put it together.

Writing a textbook on top of teaching and examining always means that those close to you make sacrifices. This book is therefore dedicated with love and thanks to our families for their considerable support and tolerance. To Marlene (who also helped with typing) and Russell Fleming. To Sally Gorin who has uncomplainingly shared in excavations and site visits and provided help with research. To Dawn, Zack (sorry there are no dinosaurs) and Marnie for giving me the time to write it.

Jim Grant

February 2001

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