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The New Edinburgh Islamic Surveys

An Introduction to Islamic Archaeology

By Marcus Milwright

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£110.00

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About this book

Traces archaeology’s contribution to Islamic culture from its earliest manifestations to the present

This introduction to the archaeology of the Islamic world traces the history of the discipline from its earliest manifestations through to the present and evaluates the contribution made by archaeology to the understanding of key aspects of Islamic culture. The author argues that it is essential for the results of archaeological research to be more fully integrated into the wider historical study of the Islamic world. His organisation of the book into broad themes allows a focus on issues that are relevant across different regions and periods, and the broad geographical scope reflects the main focus of archaeological work in the Islamic world to the present day.

Key Features

  • Includes short case studies to allow the reader to examine the ways in which archaeologists collect and interpret material in specific contexts
  • Considers archaeological work conducted in the area stretching from Afghanistan and the Central Asian republics in the east to Spain in the west
  • Draws comparisons with Islamic regions of sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent
  • Includes a Glossary of archaeological terminology and Arabic, Persian and Turkish terms

Reviews

‘I have no hesitation in recommending this book to scholars and students at all levels, but particularly to those wishing for an affordable, concise and accessibly survey of Islamic archaeology and its development over time and space.’
Milwright's introduction is a sound, balanced and scrupulously fair review of the field that will be immensely useful to lecturers and students of Islamic archaeology. It is carefully written to be accessible to a general audience, and the material discussed is generally well chosen to illustrate the full range and current state of Islamic archaeology.
Milwright's introduction is a sound, balanced and scrupulously fair review of the field that will be immensely useful to lecturers and students of Islamicarchaeology. It is carefully written to be accessible to a general audience, and the material discussed is generally well chosen to illustrate the full range and current state of Islamic archaeology.
Named an Outstanding Academic Title, 2011
The book is clearly and concisely written, and it provides a good introduction to Islamic Archaeology ... Milwright’s book is a real contribution to the emerging field of Islamic archaeology, and will be a useful resource for scholars and graduate students.
Table of contents
Acknowledgements; Notes on transliteration and dating; List of abbreviations; List of figures; 1 Introduction; 2 Early Islam and late antiquity; 3 New directions in the early Islamic period; 4 The countryside; 5 Towns, cities and palaces; 6 Religious practice in the Islamic world; 7 Crafts and industry; 8 Travel and trade; 9 The 'post-medieval' Islamic world; 10 Conclusion; Glossary; Dynasties and periods; Bibliography; Index
About the author

Marcus Milwright

Marcus Milwright is British Academy Global Professor at the University of York, UK, and professor of Islamic Art and Archaeology at the University of Victoria, Canada. His research focuses on traditional craft practices, cross-cultural interactions in the Medieval Mediterranean, and the history of medicine. He is the author of A Story of Islamic Art (Routledge, 2023), The Queen of Sheba’s Gift: A History of True Balsam of Matarea (Edinburgh University Press, 2021), Islamic Arts and Crafts: An Anthology (Edinburgh University Press, 2017), and The Dome of the Rock and its Umayyad Mosaic Inscriptions (Edinburgh University Press, 2016).

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