REVIEW BY JAMES SAINSBURY
The Rother Valley comprises a series of papers, compiled and edited by John Boardman and Ian Foster. The book covers the prehistoric archaeology and palaeoecology of the Rother in great detail, with a masterful contribution from Martin Bell on this subject, who highlights the previously overlooked area as a key piece of the jigsaw that is Sussex archaeology. Sarah Thoma discusses the palaeo-environment of the Rother, highlighting the relationship between changing climate, geology, and land use.
The book looks at the wider landscape in addition to the riverine areas, including the development of sunken lanes, parishes, and management of the land from the prehistoric through to the present day. This work is full of scientific data, presented well in tables and graphs, and is in every respect a model of what such regionally specific studies should be.
John Boardman and Ian Foster (eds)
Oxbow Books (£39.95)
ISBN 978-1914427275
Just Out and Coming Soon
The Uí Chellaig lords of Uí Maine and Tír Maine
Daniel Patrick Curley
Four Courts Press, £40
ISBN 978-1801510912
Redrawing the family tree