Overview
The effects of tectonic processes on archaeological sites are evidenced by earthquake damage, volcanic eruptions, and tsunami destruction. However, these processes affect a far broader sphere of landform structures, environment, and even climate that envelops an archaeological site and triggers human behavioural activities. Tectonic processes derive directly or indirectly from Plate Tectonics and associated magmatic activity of the Earth’s mantle. This volume thus provides a primer on crucial subduction- and suprasubduction-zone processes due to Plate Tectonics, where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are generated. After a general survey of how tectonic effects are dealt with in geoarchaeology, Part I details how these processes are applied to understand the Japanese landmass’s development, from continental accretion to volcanic archipelago, as a world-standard example. A full glossary of geological terms is included for easy reference. This is followed by detailed examinations of Japan’s tectonic archaeologies in Part II: TephroArchaeology, Earthquake Archaeology, and Tsunami Archaeology. Part III summarizes and critiques the authors’ own geoarchaeological fieldwork in Japan which was underwritten by a clear exposition of its geological and geomorphological background. Looking holistically at a locale and its development through geological time is fruitful in understanding the lay of the land, its resources, and its hazards that affect human occupation potential.
Full Product Details
Author: Gina L. Barnes (Professor Emeritus of Japanese Studies, Durham University)
Publisher: Archaeopress
Imprint: Archaeopress Access Archaeology
Weight: 1.804kg
ISBN: 9781803273990
ISBN 10: 1803273992
Pages: 554
Publication Date: 29 December 2022
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
'This volume is a most useful addition to a sparse literature. The retrospective is constructed to provide context for the geoarcheology of Japan extending from whole earth processes to site specifics, and in so doing enables comparison with the tectonic archaeology of other regions. Much of the summarized source material is otherwise difficult to find.' - Eric Force, University of Arizona ; 'The theme of tectonic archaeology is important and deserves a wide audience. Part I chapters are informed by a detailed and expert geological knowledge, with well-illustrated explanations of concepts, written in a style aimed at a non-expert readership and with an eye to their archaeological relevance. Part II chapters are illustrated with a wealth of examples drawn from the archaeology and history of Japan. Part III illustrates the application of these principles to the author's field investigations in the Nara Basin, and it serves as a detailed case study to round off the overall theme of the volume.' - Geoff Bailey, University of York
Author Information
Gina L. Barnes is Professor Emeritus of Japanese Studies, Durham University; Project Affiliate, Earth Sciences, Durham University; and Professorial Research Associate in the Department of History of Art and Archaeology, SOAS University of London. Her Research interests include archaeology and ancient history of East Asia with a special emphasis on Japan and Korea; state formation in Korea and Japan; ancient Korea-Japan relations; emergence of Yamato kingship; Japanese geology; and tectonic archaeology.
