Celtic from the West: Alternative Perspectives from Archaeology, Genetics, Language and Literature (Celtic Studies Publications)
Its fair to say that this book succeeds in re-thinking preceding ideas about Celts in a very approachable (and visually satisfying) way. In the introduction the authors set themselves the challenge of 'stimulating a breadth of original thinking, rather than launching an Atlantic Celtic thesis as a manifesto'. The breadth of scholarly writing here ensures the volume achieves that aim with considerable gusto.' (Alex LangCurrent World Archaeology1900-01-00)The arguments are complex, and involve, as Barry says, leaving the comfort and familiarity of archaeological concepts to try to understand the methods of linguists and geneticists, but the book presents a powerful body of evidence from these sources to suggest that proto-Celtic came from the eastern Mediterranean with Bronze-Age traders seeking metal ores, and that it became the lingua franca of the mining and trading communities of the Atlantic tin trade, which might help to explain the apparent anomaly of a Phoenician gene marker being found in DNA samples from people living on Anglesey.' (Christopher CatlingSALON - The Society of Antiquaries Online Newsletter1900-01-00)Its great strength is that it is multidisciplinary, consisting of chapters by archaeologists, geneticists and philologists... Overall, whatever you may think about the 'Celtic debate', this is an important book that provides easy access to multiple strands of evidence.' (Jody JoyBritish Archaeology1900-01-00)...Koch's analysis reflects the authors superior scholarship...' (Jurgen ZeidlerBryn Mawr Classical Review1900-01-00)Nominated for2011 Book of the YearbyCurrent Archaeology:This agenda-setting volume suggests Celtic speakers came not from Iron Age central Europe but rather from the Bronze Age Eastern Mediterranean.' (Current Archaeology2011-01-00)