Antiquity 76 (291)

Discusses various topical issues in contemporary archaeology, including: urbanisation and state formation. Features a separately authored report on:

Reports the excavation of a Neolithic rectangular building with rounded ends. Also notes the recovery of large quantities of Early Neolithic round-bottomed pottery. See also 2002/268.

Suggests that an oak rig could have been constructed to more easily raise the lintels at Stonehenge. Also considers that the Z an Y holes might have served to increase the height that the lintel was raised in a single stroke by increasing the distance that the counterweights could descend.

Assesses the achievements of the British Museum's Radiocarbon Laboratory which closed in 2001.

Observes that the term `ancestor' is often used by archaeologists without its meaning having been critiqued. Suggests that archaeologists should be critical of the terminology they employ. Considers that ancestors should cease to be the interpretation of first resort, and that more distinctions between different kinds of ancestor should be made.

which outlines the evolution of archaeological theory and practice

which documents the history of Boule's study of the La Chapelle-aux-Sains Neanderthal skeleton and the implications of his conclusions

which describes the development of archaeological illustration across Europe during the nineteenth-century

Evaluates four monographs which offer different perspectives on the investigation of cultural evolution in archaeology. Considers that the Darwinian and Spencerian models of cultural evolution should be reconciled and suggests that understanding the emergence of complex societies must be considered as an important evolutionary archaeological task. Reviews: Feinman, Gary M & Manzanilla, Linda (ed.), 2000, Cultural evolution: contemporary viewpoints; Carneiro, Robert L, 2000, The muse of history and the science of culture; O'Brien, Michael J & Lyman, R Lee, 2000, Applying evolutionary archaeology: a systematic approach; and O'Brien, Michael J & Lyman, R Lee, ND, Seriation, stratigraphy and index fossils: the backbone of archaeological dating.

Evaluates three monographs which report on the development of three Romano-British towns. Notes that the first hundred years of Roman administration has received an disproportionate amount of attention in comparison to the later 300 (or so) years. Reviews: Mason, David J P, 2001, Roman Chester; city of the eagles; Niblett, Rosalind, 2001, Verulamium: the Roman city of St Albans; and Buxton, K & Howard-Davis, C, 2000, Bremetenacum: excavations at Roman Ribchester, 1980, 1989--90.