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The Archaeology of Prehistory in the Contemporary World
Deep Time in Global Urban Spaces
The Archaeology of Prehistory in the Contemporary World
Deep Time in Global Urban Spaces
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Description
This book offers a timely roadmap for navigating the material and intangible legacies of prehistory with which we live today.
Drawing on a series of global case studies, field observations and real-world scenarios over a decade of his journey as the urban prehistorian, Kenneth Brophy argues that thinking and doing a contemporary archaeology of prehistory can be transformative not only in terms of how we practice, but also how we think about archaeology and the past.
The book develops several innovative approaches, including the use of psychogeography as both an intellectual framework and a fieldwork methodology for archaeologists, and the introduction of the concept of 'hyperprehistory' as the point of fusion between development, knowledge creation and social benefit. It combines reflections on the nature of temporality in archaeology with caution for those who imagine prehistory is consigned to deep time: warning the reader to heed what happens when it is used and abused, or politicized carelessly. However, there are also inspiring tales of communities engaging with their prehistory, of cities organized on prehistoric principles, of the resilience of the past against all odds. By focusing on the present and future of prehistory, Kenneth Brophy offers a radical new vision of how we can relate to and exist alongside our ancient past.
Accessibility Information
Additional accessibility information
- PDF/UA-2, 1.4
- accessibility@bloomsbury.com
Hazards
The publication contains no hazards
Support for non-visual reading
Has alternative text descriptions for images
Navigation
- Page list to go to pages from the print source version
- Elements such as headings, tables, etc for structured navigation
- All or substantially all textual matter is arranged in a single logical reading order
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1. What is a Contemporary Archaeology of Prehistory?
Chapter 2. Hyperprehistory
Chapter 3. Cities of the Dead
Chapter 4. Old Age / Afterlife
Chapter 5. Too Big to Ignore: Urban Mounds
Chapter 6. Building a Neo-Neolithic
Chapter 7. The Place You Live Has Been Special for Thousands of Years
References
Index
Product details
| Published | 12 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | Ebook (PDF) |
| Edition | 1st |
| Pages | 272 |
| ISBN | 9781350413085 |
| Imprint | Bloomsbury Academic |
| Illustrations | 79 bw illus |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
About the contributors
Reviews
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In this enthralling and innovative account, urban prehistorian Kenny Brophy selects a delectable array of cairns, barrows, mounds and stone circles and rituals located in our cities. He details how their meanings, forms and uses dramatically shift over centuries. Whether marooned ancient relics, relocated monoliths or modern replicas, Brophy compellingly argues that they are not merely unfathomable artefacts irredeemably marooned in the past. Instead, suffused with mythic imaginaries, they are potent constituents in contemporary urban life, replete with therapeutic potential and integral to place identity.
Timothy Edensor, Professor of Social and Cultural Geography, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
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Kenny Brophy is an excellent storyteller. This book was a joy to read from start to end: honest, enthusiastic and insightful. It left me with a desire to go exploring the urban prehistory of my own city, where prehistoric sites' importance is not really about their 'pastness', but, to paraphrase Kenny, their 'now-ness is key'.
Astrid J. Nyland, Professor, Museum of Archaeology, University of Stavanger, Norway

























