Sidestone Press

Sidestone Press is an academic publishing house founded by scholars, for scholars. As a publisher they have one clear ambition, that is to make scientific information available to all. They believe scientific information should be available at all times, at all places and to each and every one. This means that the printing and selling of books is but one part of what they believe a good publisher should do.

Apart from printed books that can be found in libraries and bookstores around the world, Sidestone books can also be freely accessed online through different channels such as Google Books, Google Scholar and through their own digital ebook library. By offering access to their books for free, more people than ever have access to our publications. First of all this is beneficial for our authors as it greatly increases the exposure of their work, and in effect, the impact of their research. Second, of course, it enables their readers – scholars and students around the world – to access their publications at any time and at any place, including those parts of the world where access to good quality academic libraries is not guaranteed.

From 2012 onwards Sidestone books have been published under one of three different imprints: Sidestone Press Academics, Sidestone Press Dissertations and Sidestone Press.

The Beaker Phenomenon? Cover The Beaker Phenomenon? Cover
Format: 
Pages: 500
ISBN: 9789088904646
Pub Date: 12 Apr 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Illustrations: 45 fc / 110 bw
Pages: 500
ISBN: 9789088904639
Pub Date: 31 Oct 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Illustrations: 45 fc / 110 bw
Description:
During the mid-third millennium BC, people across Europe started using an international suite of novel material culture including early metalwork and distinctive ceramics known as Beakers. The nature and social significance of this phenomenon, as well as the reasons for its rapid and widespread transmission have been much debated. The adoption of these new ideas and objects in Ireland, Europe’s westernmost island, provides a highly suitable case study in which to investigate these issues.
Exploring Human Nature Cover Exploring Human Nature Cover
Format: 
Pages: 280
ISBN: 9789088905599
Pub Date: 06 Apr 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Illustrations: 42bw/3fc
Pages: 280
ISBN: 9789088905582
Pub Date: 06 Apr 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Illustrations: 42bw/3fc
Description:
Exploring human nature takes the reader deep into the human experience of being in nature. Our current ecological predicament highlights the need to change people’s nature awareness and behaviour. This pioneering mixed methods study investigates a method to do this through facilitated Solo time in the wilderness.
Manipulations Post-mortem du Corps Humain Cover Manipulations Post-mortem du Corps Humain Cover
Format: 
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9789088905445
Pub Date: 05 Apr 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Illustrations: 88 fc
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9789088905438
Pub Date: 05 Apr 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Illustrations: 88 fc
Description:
Human remains resulting from sophisticated mortuary treatments represent a preferred information source about the organization of societies and about the belief systems of ancient people. Thereby, on the archaeological field, secondary deposits, sacred artefacts made of human bones or dismembered burials emerge as precious raw material in order to reconstruct gestures, practices and finally the symbolic discourse built around those dead who are selected to become particular protective entities, perhaps Ancestors. This work includes the study of double-funerals ceremonies and manipulations of human bones in funerary or ritual contexts but also complicated pre-funerals treatments (exposure, dismemberment, mummification) in a transcultural and transchronological perspective.
Reframing Luchino Visconti Cover Reframing Luchino Visconti Cover
Format: 
Pages: 318
ISBN: 9789088905490
Pub Date: 30 Mar 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: CLUES
Illustrations: 154fc / 191bw
Pages: 318
ISBN: 9789088905483
Pub Date: 30 Mar 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: CLUES
Illustrations: 154fc / 191bw
Description:
Reframing Luchino Visconti: Film and Art gives new and unique insights into the roots of the visual vocabulary of one of Italy’s most reputed film authors. It meticulously researches Visconti’s appropriation of European art in his set and costume design, from pictorial citations and the archaeology of the set to the use of portraits and pictorial references in costume design. Yet it also investigates Visconti’s cinematography in combination with his mise-en-scène in terms of staging, framing, mobile framing, and mirroring.
Generale Missiven van Gouverneurs-Generaal en Raden aan Heren XVII der Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie Deel xiv: 1761-1767
Band 2 Cover
Format: Hardback
Pages: 550
ISBN: 9789088905377
Pub Date: 15 Mar 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: Rijks Geschiedkundige Publicatiën Grote Serie
Description:
Deel XIV in de serie Generale Missiven van de VOC bestaat uit twee banden. Deze bevatten samenvattingen in hedendaags Nederlands en oorspronkelijke citaten van de algemene brieven van Gouverneur-Generaal en Raden in Batavia aan Heren XVII in Nederland. In deze brieven worden de berichten weergegeven ontvangen uit de verschillende kantoren, van Kaapstad in Zuid-Afrika tot Deshima in Japan en van Kharg in de Perzische Golf tot Timor in Oost-Indonesië.
Generale Missiven van Gouverneurs-Generaal en Raden aan Heren XVII der Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie Deel xiv: 1761-1767
Band 1 Cover
Format: Hardback
Pages: 550
ISBN: 9789088905346
Pub Date: 15 Mar 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: Rijks Geschiedkundige Publicatiën Grote Serie
Description:
Deel XIV in de serie Generale Missiven van de VOC bestaat uit twee banden. Deze bevatten samenvattingen in hedendaags Nederlands en oorspronkelijke citaten van de algemene brieven van Gouverneur-Generaal en Raden in Batavia aan Heren XVII in Nederland. In deze brieven worden de berichten weergegeven ontvangen uit de verschillende kantoren, van Kaapstad in Zuid-Afrika tot Deshima in Japan en van Kharg in de Perzische Golf tot Timor in Oost-Indonesië.
Exorcism, Illness and Demons in an Ancient Near Eastern Context Cover Exorcism, Illness and Demons in an Ancient Near Eastern Context Cover
Format: 
Pages: 175
ISBN: 9789088905407
Pub Date: 15 Mar 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: Papers on Archaeology of the Leiden Museum of Antiquities
Illustrations: 69bw/55fc
Pages: 175
ISBN: 9789088905391
Pub Date: 15 Mar 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: Papers on Archaeology of the Leiden Museum of Antiquities
Illustrations: 69bw/55fc
Description:
Papyrus Leiden I 343 + 345 is one of the most extraordinary manuscripts providing a deeper insight into magic and medicine in Ancient Egypt.The main part of the papyrus deals with the ancient Near Eastern disease demon Sāmānu, who is well known from Sumerian and Akkadian incantations and medical texts. In addition, a broad range of other conjurations and spells against any pain and feet swelling are included.
The Arts of Making in Ancient Egypt Cover The Arts of Making in Ancient Egypt Cover
Format: 
Pages: 275
ISBN: 9789088905247
Pub Date: 15 Feb 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Illustrations: 27fc/49bw
Pages: 275
ISBN: 9789088905230
Pub Date: 15 Feb 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Illustrations: 27fc/49bw
Description:
This book provides an innovative analysis of the conditions of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship in the light of the archaeology of production, linguistic analysis, visual representation and ethnographic research. During the past decades, the “imaginative” figure of ancient Egyptian material producers has moved from “workers” to “artisans” and, most recently, to “artists”. In a search for a fuller understanding of the pragmatics of material production in past societies, and moving away from a series of modern preconceptions, this volume aims to analyse the mechanisms of material production in Egypt during the Middle Bronze Age (2000–1550 BC), to approach the profile of ancient Egyptian craftsmen through their own words, images and artefacts, and to trace possible modes of circulation of ideas among craftsmen in material production.
De stad en de dood Cover De stad en de dood Cover
Format: 
Pages: 145
ISBN: 9789088904905
Pub Date: 01 Feb 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: Urban Graveyard Proceedings
Illustrations: 29fc / 49 bw
Pages: 145
ISBN: 9789088904899
Pub Date: 31 Jan 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: Urban Graveyard Proceedings
Illustrations: 29fc / 49 bw
Description:
Het is een wijdverbreid idee dat (post-)middeleeuwse steden een sterfteoverschot hadden en zij slechts in leven konden blijven door de toestroom van migranten; een fenomeen dat bekend staat als het ‘urban graveyard’-effect. Over details valt te twisten, maar duidelijk is dat de stad en de dood dichter bij elkaar stonden dan tegenwoordig. Met de dood als belangrijk element in de stedelijke samenleving vormen grafvelden een belangrijke bron van kennis over het leven in de post-middeleeuwen.
The Urban Graveyard Cover The Urban Graveyard Cover
Format: 
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9789088905032
Pub Date: 01 Feb 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: Urban Graveyard Proceedings
Illustrations: 62fc / 96bw
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9789088905025
Pub Date: 01 Feb 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: Urban Graveyard Proceedings
Illustrations: 62fc / 96bw
Description:
It is commonly believed that in medieval and post-medieval towns and cities death outnumbered births and that these urban centres could only survive through the influx of migrants; a concept which has come to be known as the urban graveyard effect. Whether this was indeed the case for all cities and towns is still debated, but it is certain that urban citizens were more used to death that we are today. The medieval graveyards in which the deceased were interred, then still located within town limits, are an invaluable source of knowledge for reconstructing past lives.
The Coffins of the Priests of Amun Cover The Coffins of the Priests of Amun Cover
Format: 
Pages: 150
ISBN: 9789088904936
Pub Date: 31 Jan 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: Papers on Archaeology of the Leiden Museum of Antiquities
Illustrations: 60 fc
Pages: 150
ISBN: 9789088904929
Pub Date: 31 Jan 2018
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: Papers on Archaeology of the Leiden Museum of Antiquities
Illustrations: 60 fc
Description:
Ancient Egyptian coffins provided a shell to protect the deceased both magically and physically. They guaranteed an important requirement for eternal life: an intact body. Not everybody could afford richly decorated wooden coffins.
Engraved Gems Cover Engraved Gems Cover
Format: 
Pages: 230
ISBN: 9789088905063
Pub Date: 30 Dec 2017
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: Papers on Archaeology of the Leiden Museum of Antiquities
Illustrations: 141fc / 26 bw
Pages: 230
ISBN: 9789088905056
Pub Date: 30 Dec 2017
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: Papers on Archaeology of the Leiden Museum of Antiquities
Illustrations: 141fc / 26 bw
Description:
Many are no larger than a fingertip. They are engraved with symbols, magic spells and images of gods, animals and emperors. These stones were used for various purposes.
Archaeology of Touchstones Cover Archaeology of Touchstones Cover
Format: 
Pages: 200
ISBN: 9789088905186
Pub Date: 28 Dec 2017
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Illustrations: >50 fc
Pages: 200
ISBN: 9789088905179
Pub Date: 28 Dec 2017
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Illustrations: >50 fc
Description:
Did ancient Europeans truly believe in an active after-life, as modern Europeans would like to think they did? What purpose did grave-goods actually serve? Are archaeology and the historical sciences in general able to shed, once and for all, a curse placed upon them at their inception as research disciplines in the early nineteenth century?
Fragmenting the Chieftain – Catalogue Cover
Format: Hardback
Pages: 330
ISBN: 9789088905155
Pub Date: 15 Dec 2017
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Series: Papers on Archaeology of the Leiden Museum of Antiquities
Illustrations: 126fc / 37 bw
Description:
There is a cluster of Early Iron Age (800–500 BC) elite burials in the Low Countries in which bronze vessels, weaponry, horse-gear and wagons were interred as grave goods. Mostly imports from Central Europe, these objects are found brought together in varying configurations in cremation burials generally known as chieftains’ graves or princely burials. In terms of grave goods they resemble the Fürstengräber of the Hallstatt Culture of Central Europe, with famous Dutch and Belgian examples being the Chieftain’s grave of Oss, the wagon-grave of Wijchen and the elite cemetery of Court-St-Etienne.
Why Leather? Cover Why Leather? Cover
Format: 
Pages: 134
ISBN: 9789088904707
Pub Date: 15 Dec 2017
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Illustrations: 79fc/17bw
Pages: 135
ISBN: 9789088902611
Pub Date: 16 Sep 2014
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Illustrations: 50 full colour illustrations
Description:
This pioneering volume brings together specialists from contemporary craft and industry and from archaeology to examine both the material properties and the cultural dimensions of leather. The common occurrence of animal skin products through time, whether vegetable tanned leather, parchment, vellum, fat-cured skins or rawhide attest to its enduring versatility, utility and desirability. Typically grouped together as ‘leather’, the versatility of these materials is remarkable: they can be soft and supple like a textile, firm and rigid like a basket, or hard and watertight like a pot or gourd.
Tutankhamun’s Footwear Cover
Format: Hardback
Pages: 312
ISBN: 9789088904745
Pub Date: 15 Dec 2017
Imprint: Sidestone Press
Illustrations: 286fc/105bw
Description:
The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb by Howard Carter in 1922 is one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of all time. It took Carter and his team 10 years to clear the contents of the tomb and among the objects found was a large collection of shoes and sandals. The footwear is analysed here in detail for the first time since the discovery using Carter’s records and Harry Burton’s excellent photographs along with the author’s analyses of the objects, all of which are housed in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo and the Luxor Museum.