Abstract
No. 1 of the Handbook Series produced by the South African Archæological Society is entitled “Method in Prehistory” and is by A. J. H. Goodwin (Cape Town. 12s. 6d.) ; it is an extremely useful little book. Prehistoric archæology, whether in Europe or in South Africa, is a fascinating hobby subject, and as such is being increasingly taken up. But there are branches of the subject which are somewhat technical, as, for example, the processes which were used in the manufacture of the tools found, and their classification when collected in the field ; also irreparable damage can be done to archaeological sites if amateur investigators without knowledge and experience start to excavate unaided. Some kinds of site are so common that little harm is actually done ; but there are other rarer types, for example, cave sites or barrows, where the inexperienced amateur may do irreparable damage. Goodwin's book provides just that approach to prehistoric study which many people need. There are chapters on the scope of prehistory, on materials and technology, on field research and excavation, on the preservation and packing of material, on nomenclature, and on the outfit required by an investigator. There is also a useful if short bibliography.
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Introduction to Archæological Method. Nature 158, 53 (1946). https://doi.org/10.1038/158053b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/158053b0