Archaeology and the Social History of Ships - Softcover

"In his informative and fact-filled book, Gould covers much ground-and water-from the beginnings of ship construction and waterborne trade in ancient times to the peculiarities of areas where ships are likely to founder" Norman N. Brown, Associated Press

"Overall, this is a well researched and written book that makes a significant contribution to both underwater archaeology and maritime history...Achaeologists, historians and anyone with an interest in the maritime world will find this book appealing, worthwhile and a valuable addition to their personal libraries." The Northern Mariner

"...offers a wide-ranging, state-of-the-art review of the field...Some seventy-four photographs, charts, and diagrams add to the value of an important work that...may serve as an excellent introduction for any reader requiring a sophisticated one-volume survey." The American Neptune

"Gould'd Archaeology and the Social History of Ships will make an excellent addition to the library of anyone interested in archaeology, whether underwater or terrestrial. The book provides us with a summary of what is becoming an abundant archaeological record that documents the evolution of ships."
Dennis Knepper, MAHSNews

Maritime archaeology deals with shipwrecks and is carried out by divers rather than diggers. But this is by no means a marginal branch of archaeology. It embraces maritime history, analysing changes in ship-building, navigation, reconstructing the infrastructure of waterborne commerce, and offers fresh perspectives on the cultures and societies that produced the ships and sailors. Drawing on detailed and recent case studies, Richard Gould provides an up-to-date review of the field, and a clear exposition of new developments in undersea technologies. He also argues for the careful management of underwater cultural resources.