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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Loved this book - i found the exploration of burial sites a bit more engaging here than in Ancestors, but the overall message was a bit overstated. The final 70 or so pages are a reiteration of the central ideas of genealogy and migration, which are better utilised during the examples of grave sites. Other than that another great book from this author
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Great book on what you can tell from remains… very interesting… needs a 2nd edition with an update on the big research project that wasn’t finished yet
informative
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced
I generally like Alice Roberts a lot, however this book took two attempts to complete and I found it quite repetitive; that she was making the same point repeatedly, especially around the use of the term Anglo Saxon. Still, there were some interesting parts. I’m looking forward to the ancestral DNA findings.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
This book was very interesting! I loved the in-depth analysis and although there were a lot of tangents I really enjoyed them and found them insightful and entertaining.
The author explores life in Britain through archaeological, anthropological and genomic analysis as well as some interludes from stable isotopes and DNA. This is the second book I have read from this author and certainly intend to read her other works.
The author explores life in Britain through archaeological, anthropological and genomic analysis as well as some interludes from stable isotopes and DNA. This is the second book I have read from this author and certainly intend to read her other works.
informative
medium-paced
Pretty good.
Really liked the discussion of archaeogenetics and isotope analysis as it made me feel like my degree was useful!
Didn’t like that fat ass section that just listed loads of places in the north-east and the concept that history is nuanced - is that not just common sense.
Also bonus points for the Venerable Bede shoutout - what a lad.
Really liked the discussion of archaeogenetics and isotope analysis as it made me feel like my degree was useful!
Didn’t like that fat ass section that just listed loads of places in the north-east and the concept that history is nuanced - is that not just common sense.
Also bonus points for the Venerable Bede shoutout - what a lad.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This was my 183rd book finished in 2025.
I first read Roberts' book "Crypt" which I really enjoyed. I read this one afterwards, but I must admit, I didn't like it as much. I think that probably boils down to my general indifference towards the Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods. As a former archaeologist... The Romans are so overdone.
I did like the slight divergences towards gender, and national identity / ethnicity. Hearing about these topics in an archaeological perspective was very enlightening and made me think about things.
Always interesting. Roberts is a good and engaging writer.
A side note, at the mention of Wessex Archaeology's storage unit - well, I used to work for them, and I've been in the unit. Stacked full of wonders! A sight to behold for sure.
I first read Roberts' book "Crypt" which I really enjoyed. I read this one afterwards, but I must admit, I didn't like it as much. I think that probably boils down to my general indifference towards the Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods. As a former archaeologist... The Romans are so overdone.
I did like the slight divergences towards gender, and national identity / ethnicity. Hearing about these topics in an archaeological perspective was very enlightening and made me think about things.
Always interesting. Roberts is a good and engaging writer.
A side note, at the mention of Wessex Archaeology's storage unit - well, I used to work for them, and I've been in the unit. Stacked full of wonders! A sight to behold for sure.