The Birth of Prehistoric Chronology
Dating Methods and Dating Systems in Nineteenth-Century Scandinavian Archaeology

Professor Gräslund's book is the first in-depth study of systematic methods for dating archaeological materials.

Bo Gräslund (Author)

9780521103886, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 18 December 2008

144 pages
24.4 x 17 x 0.8 cm, 0.24 kg

The development of European archaeology as a scholarly discipline in the nineteenth century was closely connected with the appearance of systematic methods for dating archaeological materials and these methods evolved largely in Scandinavia. Professor Gräslund's book is the first in-depth study of what is now recognised as a crucial stage in the history of archaeology. Beginning with an analysis of the basic elements of archaeological dating systems, he traces the origin and subsequent development of these systems, examining in detail how they were built up and refined. The Three Age System, methods of dating by find associations and the applications of typology for relative dating are themes that receive particular attention. Individuals, however, are never lost from sight. Throughout the book the author seeks to assess the contribution of the often colourful personalities involved and the volume concludes with a valuable biographical appendix.

1. Introduction
2. The conceptual framework
3. The museum background
4. C. J. Thomsen and the Three-Age System
5. The works of Magnus Bruzelius
6. The Stone Age: the division into two and three periods
7. The Bronze Age: the division into two periods
8. The Iron Age: the division into two and three periods
9. The pre-Roman Iron Age
10. The Roman Iron Age: the division into two periods
11. Coins and Iron Age chronology
12. Dating in the Bronze Age with special reference to Scandinavia
13. Montelius' own account of his chronological method
14. The origin of typology as chronological method
15. General aspects
Biographical notes
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Archaeological science, methodology & techniques [HDW], Archaeological theory [HDA]