Book Review:  In Search of the Indo-Europeans, Language, Archaeology and Myth

22 July 2003-07-22

J.P. Mallory's book In Search of the Indo-Europeans, Language, Archaeology and Myth is an excellent read for any who are interested in the origins and culture of the Indo-Europeans. In this book J.P. Mallory provides a comprehensive study of the origins of the Indo-Europeans using primarily linguistic evidence (linguistic palaeontology).  Along the way he attempts to corroborate the linguistic and archaeological evidence to define Indo European culture and identify its origins.  Where sufficient archaeological or linguistic evidence does not exist Mallory makes use of comparative mythology, while recognizing the traps and pitfalls inherent in this methodology.

Mallory begins the journey by defining "Indo-European" in the context of the peoples living in the broad geographic area from the "… shores of the Atlantic to India…" who spoke languages that were "…closely related to one another."   He gives an account of the various people's who lived in this region and discusses the commonality (or lack thereof) of the languages they spoke.  In discerning the relationships of the languages of the various peoples, Mallory attempts to identify migratory patterns in the region.  The assumption being that the presence of foreign (non Indo-European) linguistic patterns may represent invasions or migrations of non Indo Europeans into the region.  All this is an attempt to identify the geographic origins of the Indo-Europeans.

In his attempt to define the origins of the Indo-Europeans Mallory also uses comparative archaeology to ascertain migrations in the region.  For instance, by comparing the designs and materials used in pottery and like items Mallory attempts to ascertain where foreign items have been injected into the region, and thereby hypothesize where migrations or invasions have occurred.  Mallory attempts to make similar comparisons and hypothesis using ethnic or cultural evidence such as religion, societal structure, etc.

Bringing all of these tools to bear, Mallory follows the expansion of the Indo Europeans across Europe and Asia from the Pontic and Central and Northern Europe.  Mallory recognizes that this theory is not entirely verifiable, but postulates this theory is the most probable given the archaeological evidence available.

Mallory presents a work of scholarly quality, citing numerous well known and respected references (and in some cases refuting them).  One of the strengths of this study is Mallory's willingness to consider and examine multiple theories, and postulate alternative theories based on the evidence available.  Does he unravel the origins of the Indo-European?  We may never know.  But, he makes a compelling case for his theory that I-E culture began in Northern Europe and migrated southwards.