Going Forward by Looking Back

“This collection presents diverse studies of climate disasters and human responses, with a particular focus on how knowledge of past catastrophes and resilience in their aftermath can contribute to risk reduction in the future…This is a must-read book on how the world today will face and deal with recurrent disasters through the lens of deep history over time.   Highly Recommended.” • Choice “This book is causing me to think about how greater attention to environmental hazards through an archaeological lens can shine light on both the strengths and weaknesses of human societal responses…[It] represents an exciting attempt to bring the heft of deep history to bear on the formidable climate‐related challenges before us.” • American Anthropologist “The authors have analysed voluminous data from various sites to present a cogent picture of the response by societies to disasters resulting from volcanic eruptions, floods and droughts. The book should be read by policymakers and administrators to strengthen their work in finding disaster relief measures which are people friendly. The book has significant value.” • International Journal of Environmental Studies “This is an important body of work which significantly pushes the boundaries of the scope of archaeology… The volume is quite diverse, thematically, geographically, and in regard to the approach and methodological and theoretical perspectives taken. They add up to a highly interesting, stimulating, thought provoking, and inspiring work.” • Christian Isendahl, University of Gothenburg, Sweden