Crusader Archaeology ― The Material Culture of the Latin East

In 1099 the Crusaders conquered Jerusalem. For several hundred years, large areas in the Eastern Mediterranean were under Latin rule. This unique volume describes the story of an invading society transplanting itself into completely new surroundings, providing comprehensive coverage of all aspects of life in the area they occupied.

Crusader Archaeology draws together recently excavated material from Israel, Cyprus, Syria and Jordan to examine what life was like for the Crusaders in their new territory, and how they were influenced by the local population. Chapters discuss urban and rural settlements, surveying agriculture and industry, military, church, public and private architecture, arts and crafts, leisure pursuits, death and burial, and building techniques.

This highly illustrated volume creates an intriguing portrait of the period. It will make fascinating reading for all those interested in the Middle Ages, and particularly in the Crusaders.

Adrian J. Boas is Lecturer in medieval archaeology at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, and at Haifa University. He has directed excavations at a Crusader village and a number of castles in Israel.