review
Taking the story of the 9000-year-old Shaman of Bad-Dürrenberg as their starting point and anchor, Harald Meller (an archaeologist and academic) and Kai Michel (a writer on the evolution of human behaviour and historical issues) present a broad and readable exploration of a variety of spiritual and historical issues.
Meller and Michel offer a compelling account of a fascinating discovery, the nature of human life in the mesolthic period, and the Shaman’s history since her unearthing. The themes they reflect on in the process include the origins of human religion and spirituality, the degree to which the idea of a ‘shaman’ is a useful concept, the ongoing influence of European colonial thought on our interpretation of language and the world, how we see our own ancestors, and the use and misuse of history for political (in this case National Socialist) ends.
‘The Mystery of the Shaman’ is well-written, informal in style, readable and accessible. It does not assume its readers will have an expert understanding of archaeology, or issues such as the National-Socialist period or the legacy of colonialism. It will thus appeal to general readers with an interest in history and archaeology. Presented like agradually unfolding crime story or drama, it is an exciting read that provides a fascinating account of an area of archaeology on which there has so far been little writing in English. Its engagement with postcolonial themes is timely and relevant. It is a truly intriguing and original exploration of what we know of our prehistory and the ways in which we often misunderstand it.
Rights sold: Italy (Feltrinelli)
Find out more here: https://www.rowohlt.de/verlag/rights/book/harald-meller-kai-michel-das-raetsel-der-schamanin-9783498003012
All recommendations from Spring 2024