Author Description

The medieval Russian archaeological site of Novgorod has among the most comprehensive collections of excavated wooden objects and structures of any site in the world. The town and its material culture were completely dominated by wooden architecture and artifacts, all excellently preserved due to anaerobic waterlogged conditions. This book describes various aspects of the use of wood in medieval Novgorod in twenty-five chapters written by the world's leading authorities on this material. It provides fascinating detail on the way wooden material was used in structures, industrial activity, transport, household objects, musical instruments, accountancy, ritual, and decoration. Importantly, many of the chapters are written by leading Russian scholars, bringing their work to an English-speaking audience for the first time. This volume should be of great interest to medieval archaeologists, architects, and historians, and others who deal with material culture.