Objects in Context, Objects in Use ─ Material Spatiality in Late Antiquity

Tthe contents, derived from an eponymous meeting at Oxford in May 2004, admirably promote the study of material spatiality in Late Antiquity, exploring the material world as it was lived, using a variety of sources, as opposed to simply describing and interpreting the material culture as it remains today. Lavan and Swift (both: archaeology, U. of Kent, Canterbury, UK), and Putzeys (Sagalasses Archaeological Project, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, Belgium) are editors and also authors of some of the 26 contributed chapters. The book contains seven sections, each with multiple essays, in the areas of bibliographic content, domestic space, vessels in context, shops and workshops, dress, religious space, and military space. Sites included are primarily Eastern Mediterranean, as well as Pella, Dura-Europos, Scythopolis, and Sagalassos. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Luke Lavan is Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Kent, Canterbury. His doctorate (2001) considered Provincial Capitals in Late Antiquity. He has edited conference volumes on late antique urbanism, the countryside and historical methodology, and is series editor of Late Antique Archaeology.Ellen Swift is Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Kent, Canterbury. She has particular interests in artefact studies, late Roman dress, and Roman art. Her forthcoming book on Roman decoration is to be published by Ashgate.Toon Putzeys works for the Sagalassos Archaeological Research Project of the Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven. His doctorate (2006) considered Contextual Analysis at Sagalassos, a classical city with important late antique levels in the mountains of South-West Turkey.