Islands in Time explores the ecological and cultural development of prehistoric island societies. It considers the prehistory of the Mediterranean islands including Cyprus, Crete and the Cyclades, Malta, Lipari, Corsica and Sardinia.

Once established, island communities may evolve along very different lines from their parent societies. Some become centres for large scale interaction with the world beyond, such as the civilisations of Crete and Cyprus; whilst for others like Malta or Easter Island, isolation gives rise to unique and often elaborate cultural expressions. Islands in Time is a valuable exploration of these differences over a period from the end of the last Ice Age in around 10,000 BC through to the emergence of classical civilisation. It offers a thematic analysis of issues such as colonisation, island ecosystems and networks of interaction. Mark Patton's theoretical approach to this discipline means that this volume will be of relevance to all archaeologists and anthropologists interested in the fundamental question of the relationship between human societies and their environment.

'This is an innovative and indeed, thought provoking book exploring the ecological and cultural development of prehistoric island societies ... It is a book for both the archaeologist and anthropologist, and is admirable in making them aware of each others fields of study, but more importantly, the interaction between them that is of tremendous value to both.' - Minerva

'It offers a well-written, wide-ranging and up-to-date coverage of important themes in Mediterranean prehistory, and a critical development of the starting point in Island biogeograophy. It reads well and will be much used.' - Landscape History

'Patton's book is both timely and welcome because it compiles and summarizes much of the research in Mediterranean island biography, and thereby provides a good introduction to the subject.' - Thomas F.Strasser, California State University