The Bronze Age, roughly 2500 to 750 BC, was the last fully prehistoric period in Europe and a crucial element in the formation of the Europe that emerged into history in the later first millennium BC. This book focuses on the material culture remains of the period, and through them provides an interpretation of the main trends in human development that occurred during this timespan. It pays particular attention to the discoveries and theoretical advances of the last twenty years that have necessitated a major revision of received opinions about many aspects of the Bronze Age. Arranged thematically, it reviews the evidence for a range of topics in cross-cultural fashion, defining which major characteristics of the period were universal and which culture and area-specific. The result is a comprehensive study that will be of value to specialists and students, while remaining accessible to the non-specialist.

• Based on the most recent researches in Bronze Age archaeology from all parts of Europe, while basing itself on the foundation of traditional scholarship • Deals with Europe as a whole, seeking to present a comprehensive view of the major phenomena apparent in the Bronze Age • Covers both theoretical and practical issues, but written in jargon-free language easily understood by specialists and lay readers

Contents
Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. The Bronze Age house and village; 3. Burials; 4. The domestic economy; 5. Transport and contact; 6. Metals; 7. Other crafts; 8. Warfare; 9. Religion and ritual; 10. Hoards and hoarding; 11. People; 12. Social organisation; 13. The Bronze Age world: questions of scale and interaction; 14. Epilogue; Bibliography.