Footmarks: A Journey into our restless past

by Jim Leary

Archaeologist Jim Leary reanimates the past with this riveting 'archaeology of movement'

All too often we think of the past as static, 'frozen in time', and indeed movement is not always easy to decipher from the archaeological record. With Jim Leary's expert eye we explore the tangible remains, from fossilised footprint tracks to prehistoric wooden trackways, ridgeways, holloways, droveways, green ways, corpse roads, and Roman roads. Isotope studies and archaeogenetics now allow us see the arduous journeys that people made across continents and oceans, proving that migration has been continuous throughout our past, an endless ebb and flow of populations.

This new story of our past shows that history was warm and full of life, and no doubt at times cold, dark and miserable - but it was never motionless. Footmarks will make you look at the landscape around you with fresh eyes.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Archaeology, Audiobook, Anthropology, Ebooks, Prehistory

288 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2023

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many years ago, before archaeologists used DNA on skeletons and had to use isotopes found in their teeth, I watched a documentary about a lady buried in Bath 2000 years ago, but who had arrived from Europe. At that time I looked for a book that would describe her journey. It has taken a long time, but finally I have Footmarks to read. This is a beautifully written meditation on walking, but includes the science and history of the different people who have walked across our planet in the past and explains what may have driven them to set off on foot for monumental journeys. We used to think that populations were very static over time with a few people moving on, but modern science is showing that human kind has always been moving in great numbers. This book is about everyones ancestors and tells us all how we got to where we are now and the journeys that will have involved. I loved this book, it's a beautifully written and important book.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever looked at a footpath or holloway and wondered how long it's been there and who else has walked along it? Then this is the book for you.

This is an accessible and quite chatty look at the history and archaeology of human movement and what is and isn't preserved.

I think my favourite part was the observation that a lot of history tends to view journeys as a straight plodding line between beginning and end. And yet we know that that isn't how people move today; they run or wander for fun, they divert to look at something interesting, they travel backwards and forwards between people and places they know.

The book is divided up into easily digested sections with examples of movement captured in the archaeological and historical records along with a general discussion on the causes and methods of different movement.

I think this will be enjoyed not just by history readers but also of nature writers like Robert Macfarlane.

I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for holloways and old tracks when I'm out walking..

Thank you to Icon Books for providing me with a netgalley review copy

[Violet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, enjoyable book about movement and migration seen through archeology - from prehistory to more modern time (like the Victorian era). I found it really interesting to read and it had a lot of interesting facts and case studies, but at times it felt too short and not detailed enough. Some chapters I found a bit repetitive, and I would have preferred something maybe more specific. I enjoyed reading it but didn't feel as if I have learned anything really new here.

Free ARC sent by Netgalley.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful reminder that our ancestors were once living moving people, with lives as meandering as our own.

Footmarks introduces a concept. It is neither a dry non-fiction analysis of archaeological sites, nor a sensationalised narrative, Footmarks explores our connection to our ancestors through the similarities and traces that remain in how peoples of the past moved across the earth. The curiosity of children as evidenced in footprints left behind, the exploration and migrations that have happened since visible human behaviour can be traced, the language of movement in our place names, and the language we use to discuss thoughts. Footmarks discusses how journeys are not just a physical act of travelling from one place to another, but a part of our communication, our link to the earth, and to each other. Archaeology is often concentrated on sites, fixed places, not the spaces in between, and the lives and laughter that would have echoed as people made their way in, around, through, over, between those places, or simply walking to nowhere at all.

Each chapter discusses a different type of movement, from the small steps to the vast ocean voyages, all evidenced with examples that encourage readers to investigate more, and all threaded with Jim Leary's personal journeys through his career, his relationship with his family, and personal loss.

This will interest anyone who looks at our world and it's history with curiosity, and is the kind of book that will find you searching for others on the various topics introduced. I recommend reading this on a bright morning, you'll find the hills and vast skies calling after you've read it, so spare time for this and a good walk after.

I read this with a little bit of trepidation, because the author is a colleague of mine, though he didn't know I was going to read this, and I didn't know he had written it, until I saw it on Netgalley. I don't tend to read books by people I know in case I don't like them, or can't give high enough praise, but I genuinely enjoyed this.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jack Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am 'Twitter friends' with Jim and have read his book about Silbury Hill so I was excited to get this from NetGalley!

'... because movement is life, and the past was never still.'

This is a book about journeys I suppose, from the mundane to the extraordinary, and the way those journeys are not always easy to see in the archaeological record, even though walking from one place to another is basically what modern humans and their predecessors have been doing forever. Leary shows us Mesolithic footprints, Bronze Age wooden tracks, Iron Age and Roman roads, bridges, fords, and boats. He talks about migration and travel, the Amesbury Archer and medieval pilgrims, Viking traders, famers, drovers and shepherds. He talks about the journey of his own life as well, both personal and professional. It's really nicely written and completely fascinating. Recommended!

[Dave Parr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love history, but wouldn't normally pick a book like this. Saw the author giving a interview on History Hit and decided to give it a go! So glad I did, was an absolute joy, very informative but in a very relaxed style. Couldn't recommend highly enough.

[Emma Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Footmarks
A Journey Into our Restless Past
by Jim Leary

Archaeology is a bit like a photograph. New sites are unearthed, but they are frozen moments in time or the detritus from centuries of slow decay. This book attempts to bring movement back into the past. It spans from prehistory to more modern times, following in the ancient tracks of humans who have always been inquisitive enough to travel.

It is a good entry level book on the subject of movement and migration with a good narrator who adds in his own personal touches and reasons for writing this book. It does bring life and the human side of history and archaeology back into something more tangible. Something which was once living and breathing, and that we can relate to.

Personally, I found the brevity had me wishing for more depth. For me, one chapter focussing on a single aspect, like ocean travel, isn’t enough. The archaeological examples also lacked detail (this was an ARC so perhaps the published book will come with photographs?). I read this hoping to learn some new things and I felt a bit disappointed there wasn’t much new for me here.

With thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[LilyRose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Footmarks by Jim Leary is a fascinating and thoughtful nonfiction book about the archeology of movement. The novel is broken into small, well paced parts and chapters that explore movement on paths, road, and sea throughout history. The author seeks to turn our gaze on history as a fixed point into the truth that history and people have always been on the move, restless and exploring new horizons. The book was engaging in its research and exploration of time and place connecting it to our experience today. From hunter-gatherers footsteps preserved in mud, ancient trackways, pilgrimages and odysseys we have always sought movement and new horizons. The past here becomes animated and alive once more as we as readers are invited to follow in the footsteps of our past and how the land is shaped by those migrations and laws of yesterday. I wish the book had been even longer and investigated further places and past events which is a tribute to the great, accessible writing. A book of connecting history to the present and a wonderful read for fans of history and archaeology 4 Stars ✨.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

[Geoffrey Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up in England at the end of our walking tour of the Lake District, and it provided a delightful meander through the archeology and history of human movement, some of which was rooted in the pre-history of the British Isles. The writing is exploratory and essayistic, infused with the personal voice and anecdotes of the writer, who is also an archeologist. Thoughtful and very interesting.

[Holly Hughes-Rowlands · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful work. An ode to the innate curiosity and wanderlust of humanity, and its transcendance over time.

I wouldn't have minded getting a little more detail in some of the chapters, but as an introductory book to archaeology, it's perfect! It certainly piqued my interest further.

Leary makes the reader feel intimately connected with the nameless individuals of the prehistoric past, finding bright flashes of personality in something as innocuous as a footprint, or a path.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A review on the front cover describes this book as 'lucid, poetic and fascinating' and I'd agree with every word. Genuinely one of the best books I've read in a while and was gutted when I finished it. Its given me so many places to visit and so many new things to consider about the past. The chapter illustrations are just wonderful too

[Rachel Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really engaging wander through time and place, exploring human relationships to movement.

Full of interesting facts and tit bits of information, this is an ideal book for some one with an interest in archaeology.

[Becca Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so wonderful. The people of the deep past are written as bout so dynamically they walk beside us again. History steps out of silent museum rooms and pages of books to breathe, stretch, run and live beside us. Treat yourself to a copy .

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A personal and professional romp through the ages and archaeological terrains.
Interesting and informative although I don't feel the author took me on a journey as such just a lot of sign posting.

[Sam Hicks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frustratingly superficial and lacking in detail. Almost like it was written for children.

[Hilary "Fox" · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review of this book, and interview with the author, will be available soon on The Folklore Podcast website. I'll be updating with links as soon as they're all live.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable and brings up some great points!

[Freido · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very UK focused, also short. I do love the approach though.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and moving book about the archeology of human journeys through the centuries. I really enjoyed it. It’s put a few museums on my wish list, too.

[Jack Renders · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed the journey

[Ella Muldoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a truly special read and full of heart. written so personably and accessibly that I had to pace myself to be able to absorb (and check-out the footnotes of!) what were actually very information dense chapters. It’s changed the way I view the world around me and how we move through it, and I’m excited to share it

[Joey Wilmott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just high key interested in this stuff.