Archaeological Approaches to Shamanism

This book discusses both ancient and modern shamanism, as well as demonstrating the extension in time and space of the phenomenon together with its diversity. The book is divided into three distinct rudiments: Mind-Body, Nature, and Culture (Artefacts or Materials); all three having clear associations with the concept of shamanism. Basic questions of what shamanism is and if tangible evidence can be sought from the archaeological record are addressed. The various chapters in this volume will help to answer these questions, albeit in a specific and themed way. As such, the book offers a novel image of the material culture of shamanism by putting together studies by experts from three different continents related to the phenomenon of shamanism.