The Plain of Phaistos

Book excerpt: Based on fieldwork carried out from 1984-1987, this volume presents an exemplary survey of the Western Mesara region of Crete with detailed treatment of its physical and archaeological characteristics. The 15 chapters are grouped into the themes of the natural environment and its use and prehistoric and historical settlement and society. Specific chapter topics include geoarchaeology, cultural geography of Crete, agriculture and subsistence in the Ottoman and post-Ottoman periods, and chronological chapters describing evidence and interpretation of the area's various civilizations. Several appendices contain methods for botanical studies, the stone finds, and a register of the archaeological sites, among other information. A series of b&w plates, an exhaustive bibliography, and a glossary are provided. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).