Book of the Year 2011

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Current Archaeology‘s Book of the Year 2011 is awarded to Julian Bowsher and Pat Miller for The Rose and the Globe: Playhouses of Shakespeare, as reviewed in CA239.

We wish to send many congratulations to Julian and Pat for their fascinating study, and to all our worthy nominees.

The Rose and The Globe: Playhouses of Shakespeare’s Bankside – CA 239

Julian Bowsher and Pat Miller

Bankside playhouses had a very brief shelf-life, and disappeared as quickly as they had arrived. The structures themselves were recycled; this book is a tribute to the archaeologists who painstakingly reconstructed so much, from so little evidence, of two of London’ s most famous and important playhouses.

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This has been a year filled with fabulous reading. So many great books have crossed our desks! We have done our best to review as many as possible, and we hope you have had a chance to read some. The following titles made the 2011 shortlist:

Click here for a fuller description of the finalists

European Influence on Celtic Art – CA 242

Lloyd Laing

Exploring the influences that shaped Celtic art, the author explores evidence that suggests ‘Celtic’ art, far from being insular, nationalistic or genetically determined, was open to a diversity of cultures from across Europe and through them created a uniquely distinctive style.

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Archaeological Investigation – CA 243

Martin Carver

A great number of archaeologists have written about life and work at the trowel’s edge; of these plentiful books, a handful have gone on to influence future generations. Archaeological Investigations takes its place among them, drawing together key concepts, theories, and practice.

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The Making of the British Landscape – CA 247

Francis Pryor

Pryor’s new book takes on a massive topic in surveying the whole of British landscape history. It is a stupendous feat of research. The book also offers plenty of the authentic Francis Pryor of his previous books, which is an essential element to the enjoyment of its reading.

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The Planning of Roman Roads and Walls in Northern England – CA 248

John Poulter

Lurking within this book is an exciting Big Idea. Poulter’s methodical research seems to prove  Hadrian’s Wall was designed to face south towards the forts of the Stanegate, rather than north, as is more generally accepted.

Click here for a fuller description of the finalists