Underwater Archaeology : History and Methodology

Rudel, Murielle

Periplus Publishing London Ltd

Grand theories sometimes arise from simple questions or the elementary observations of natural phenomena. History is filled with examples: no least that, from the examination of a falling body, universal rules were established to explain the mechanics of the skies. Where did the Polynesians come from? This question on the origins of a people, now isolated on the islands of the Pacific Ocean, has attracted the attention of scholars and given rise to many theories, such as those of Thor Heyerdahl on the Kon-Tiki and Eric de Bisschop aboard the Tahiti-Nuit The desire to answer this question was, for Robert Argod, the starting point of an astonishing quest with fascinating ramifications. Polynesian mythology gave him the first leads. In these myths the original land is described in poetic terms: then came a long night and an endless cold forcing the Polynesians' ancestors on great ocean expeditions in search of more hospitable lands. The legends are filled with strikingly realistic details. Robert Argod combined an encyclopaedic knowledge of the myths and legends of different races with a quality that is certainly essential to anyone trying to understand maritime migrations; he was a master mariner. When fed by the accumulation of knowledge and experience, intution often generates fertile discoveries. A place recurred in Argod's research, logical from a maritime perspective but at first hard to believe, Antartica.

Out of Antarctica: Reflections on the origins of peoples

History

Argod, Robert

Australia & Oceania

The 2004 Olympic Games to be held in Athens will focus attention on the city which was the cradle of western civilisation. In a world paradoxically diminished by technology this ultimate demonstration of human physical abilities will entrance billions of spectators. 
 The Games help us to forget for a short time the existence of so much misery and suffering. The heroic physical feats of the competitors bring universal admiration rare in an often cynical age. For the space of a few days the best athletes from every nation come together in a spirit of brotherhood to compete for the sake of sport; the fanfare saluting the victors drowns out the bugle calls of war; the cheers briefly distract us from brutality and barbarism. 
 The Games invented and organised by the Ancient Greeks teach us important lessons. An Olympic truce suspended hostilities and bloodletting for their duration. A whole idea of what it means to be a man, a whole culture and philosophy, was shaped by these competitions, which testified above all to man's overwhelming ambition, his need to push the limits of his abilities and surpass himself. 
 Drawing on his extensive knowledge of ancient texts and iconography, Professor Bernand makes the case for the festive, brotherly and spectacular side of the competitions, where both physical and mental attributes were equally important to the underlying ideals of beauty and courage. The winner brought honour to himself, his family, his city and to the gods. The Games became a national as well as local institution, developing in an atmosphere of goodwill and joy where only one competitor could hope for glory- the victor.

The Road to Olympia: Origins of the Olympic Games

Bernand, Andre

Ancient Civilizations

Flamenco: Dance Class (French edition)

Arts & Photography

Lena Herzog

Individual Artists

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