A modern and comprehensive introduction to methods and techniques in archaeology

In the newly revised Second Edition of the Handbook of Archaeological Sciences, a team of more than 100 researchers delivers a comprehensive and accessible overview of modern methods used in the archaeological sciences. The book covers all relevant approaches to obtaining and analyzing archaeological data, including dating methods, quaternary paleoenvironments, human bioarchaeology, biomolecular archaeology and archaeogenetics, resource exploitation, archaeological prospection, and assessing the decay and conservation of specimens.

Overview chapters introduce readers to the relevance of each area, followed by contributions from leading experts that provide detailed technical knowledge and application examples.

Readers will also find:

• A thorough introduction to human bioarchaeology, including hominin evolution and paleopathology
• The use of biomolecular analysis to characterize past environments
• Novel approaches to the analysis of archaeological materials that shed new light on early human lifestyles and societies
• In-depth explorations of the statistical and computational methods relevant to archaeology

Perfect for graduate and advanced undergraduate students of archaeology, the Handbook of Archaeological Sciences will also earn a prominent place in the libraries of researchers and professionals with an interest in the geological, biological, and genetic basis of archaeological studies.