Megasites in Prehistoric Europe
Where Strangers and Kinsfolk Met

A comparison of much neglected European prehistoric megasites, with a new interpretation based on congregation.

Bisserka Gaydarska (Author), John Chapman (Author)

9781009096607, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 27 October 2022

75 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 0.7 cm, 0.2 kg

This is an Element about some of the largest sites known in prehistoric Europe – sites so vast that they often remain undiscussed for lack of the theoretical or methodological tools required for their understanding. Here, the authors use a relational, comparative approach to identify not only what made megasites but also what made megasites so special and so large. They have selected a sample of megasites in each major period of prehistory – Neolithic, Copper, Bronze and Iron Ages – with a detailed examination of a single representative megasite for each period. The relational approach makes explicit comparisons between smaller, more 'normal' sites and the megasites using six criteria – scale, temporality, deposition / monumentality, formal open spaces, performance and congregational catchment. The authors argue that many of the largest European prehistoric megasites were congregational places.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Trypillia megasites, Ukraine
3. Neolithic and Copper Age sites in the Balkans and Central Europe
4. Neolithic and Copper Age sites in France and Iberia
5. Bronze Age megasites
6. Iron Age megasites – from Bil'sk to Bagendon
7. Discussion and conclusions.

Subject Areas: Archaeological science, methodology & techniques [HDW], Prehistoric archaeology [HDDA], Archaeology [HD]