The Archaeology of Islam (Social Archaeology)

Rating:
Summary: Demonstrates the variety of Muslim cultures
Review: Can archeologists draw conclusions about whole societies? The discipline of social archeology says they can, and Insoll proves it in the case of Islam. His goal is not only to demonstrate the richness and variety of the material culture of Muslim societies-he refers to a satisfactorily wide range of times and places in doing so-but also to interpret material culture and connect it convincingly to social characteristics. Islam itself structures his book, each chapter begin-ning with an epigraph from the Qur'an that sets the theme. Thus the obligation of prayer is made archeologically concrete in the structure of the mosque, the importance of privacy shapes the excavatable spaces of domestic structures, and dietary requirements affect the food remains and the building types the archeologist may find.

Rating:
Summary: Demonstrates the variety of Muslim cultures
Review: This book is a valuable addition to our understanding of Islam. It highlights the rich tradition of Islam without unneccesary and misleading reference to "Orientalist" literature

Rating:
Summary: A very valuable perspective
Review: This book is a valuable addition to our understanding of Islam. It highlights the rich tradition of Islam without unneccesary and misleading reference to "Orientalist" literature