There are two ways of assessing this study of the Dark Ages in Greece: as a collection of six studies of Dark Age sites at different chronological points within the period and as an attempt to illuminate stages in the transformation of Greece in the Dark Ages through these six temporally spaced examples intended for a broad readership interested in the processes of change. The book is quite successful from the first perspective but fails in the latter one. The case studies, on quite recent archaeological findings, are finely nuanced and well reasoned. Thomas and Conant fairly describe various schools of thought on interpretation of the archaeological record and put forward some new hypotheses. Although the discussion takes little for granted in the reader's background, those conversant with earlier literature on the Dark Ages will gain the most from these detailed studies. On the other hand, the book is less successful in meeting the needs of the broader intended audience, who may not be able to see the forest for the trees. Perhaps a concluding chapter might have helped. Upper—division undergraduates and above.
R. P. Legon
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The case studies, on quite recent archaeological findings, are finely nuanced and well reasoned. Thomas and Conant fairly describe various schools of thought on interpretation of the archaeological record and put forward some new hypotheses. . . . Upper-division undergraduates and above.March 2000
Choice