Julian Thomas is Reader in Archaeology at the University of Southampton. He has published widely on European prehistory and archaeological theory, and his publications include Time, Culture and Identity (1996). He is a member of the Council of the Royal Anthropological Institute.

• Preface to the second edition Chapter One AN ARCHAEOLOGY OF DIFFERENCE Chapter Two BEYOND THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM Chapter Three READING MONUMENTS Chapter Four PITS, POTS AND DIRT: A GENEALOGY OF DEPOSITIONAL PRACTICES Chapter Five PORTABLE ARTEFACTS: THE CASE OF POTTERY Chapter Six MORTUARY PRACTICE Chapter Seven REGIONAL SEQUENCES: THE STONEHENGE AREA Chapter Eight REGIONAL SEQUENCES: THE UPPER THAMES VALLEY Chapter Nine REGIONAL SEQUENCES: THE AVEBURY DISTRICT Chapter Ten CONCLUSION

'This book represents a milestone in the changing attitudes to the study of prehistory and constitutes essential reading for all those interested in the Neolithic and how we may speak of the past - Colin Richards'Clarity of thought, novelty of idea and impressive marshalling of data combine to make this a significant addition to the literature of both the British Neolithic and archaeological theory' - Jonathan Last, Archaeological Review'Good value for money and time highly topical and very readable in todays archaeological climate.' - Assemblage, University of Sheffield