Born in Edinburgh, Daniel Wilson (1816–92) planned on becoming a painter and spent time working in Turner's studio. But in 1842 he became secretary of the Society of Antiquaries in Scotland and devoted the rest of his life to archaeology, anthropology and university administration. This two-volume work, first published in 1851, brought him to immediate academic attention. Carrying out pioneering work of scientific archaeology, Wilson brought the very word 'prehistoric' into use in English for the first time. And although a devout Christian, he accepted the theory of evolution, unlike many of his contemporaries. Split into four periods, the work is richly illustrated, with many of the illustrations created by the author himself. For this second edition, published in 1863, Wilson updated his work to reflect recent discoveries.
Contents
Volume 1: Preface; Preface to the first edition; Introduction; Part I. The Primeval or Stone Period: 1. The primeval transition; 2. Aboriginal traces; 3. Sepulchral memorials; 4. Dwellings and catacombs; 5. Temples and memorial stones; 6. Weapons and implements; 7. Stone vessels; 8. Personal ornaments; 9. Crania of the tumuli; Part II. The Archaic or Bronze Period: 1. Introduction of metals; 2. The metallurgic transition; 3. Primitive bronze; 4. Weapons and implements; 5. Domestic and sepulchral vessels; 6. Personal ornaments; 7. Sepulchres; 8. Religion, arts, and domestic habits. Volume 2: Part III. The Iron Period: 1. The introduction of iron; 2. The Roman invasion; 3. Strongholds; 4. Weapons, implements, and pottery; 5. Personal ornaments; 6. Sepulchres of the iron period; Part IV. The Christian Period: 1. Historical data; 2. The sculptured standing-stones; 3. The Norrie's Law relics; 4. Scoto-Scandinavian relics; 5. Anglo-Saxon relics; 6. Amusements; 7. Primitive ecclesiology; 8. Medieval ecclesiology; 9. Ecclesiastical antiquities; 10. Miscellaneous antiquities; 11. Conclusion; Index.
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