Conclusion

Abstract

The large numbers of archaeologists working on European prehistory have made detailed studies of a wide range of materials. Mastering the diversity and complexity of this data is a challenge. The sheer quantity of archaeological data and publications has grown greatly since the 1970s, making it very difficult for any archaeologist to master even small parts of the various sources. Writing syntheses covering large geographical areas has become much more difficult and many worthwhile studies cannot be included in this survey. Yet we should not shrink from writing broad overviews, otherwise students of the discipline would be limited to isolated prehistories of Yorkshire, Brittany, Scania, Silesia, etc.