Reflections: 50 years of medieval archaeology, 1957–2007. Edited by Roberta Gilchrist and Andrew Reynolds. 250mm. Pp 518, many figs, 11 col ills. Soc Medieval Archaeol Monogr 30, 2009. ISBN 9781906540715. £69 (SMA members: £58) (pbk).

摘要

This volume celebrates the fiftieth anniversary ofnthe Society of Medieval Archaeology, establishednin 1957. It recalls the origins of the society, withnDonald Harden the editor, David Wilson,nsecretary, and John Hurst, treasurer. ChristophernGerrard recalls the early years when annually ansummary was produced of digs and finds; greatnweight was given to British archaeology, perhapsnat the expense of internationality. RosemarynCramp contributes an essay on milestones innearly medieval archaeology, commenting thatninformation about Anglo-Saxon settlement sitesnnow balances the former overwhelming data onncemeteries. Messrs Gardiner and Rippon recog-nnize that there is a deep rift between academicnstudy and research on the one hand and contractnor development-led survey and excavation on thenother. In the meantime, open-area excavationnas practised at Wharram Percy, Yeavering andnWinchester revealed the potential to unravel thencomplex layers of these key sites, while inter-ndisciplinary landscape-based projects, such asnRaunds, Shapwick and Whittlewood, shed lightnon whole medieval landscapes. Abroad, furthernchapters reveal that there was a tendency fornarchaeology to be geared towards serving thenpolitical agenda of the present. Spanish andnsouth-eastern European archaeology was dis-ntorted by the totalitarian regimes they served.