Gina Barnes
California-born and Colorado-bred, Gina Barnes took her first degree in Japanese language and East Asian Civilization at the University of Colorado, following with an MA and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in Anthropology & Archaeology. In addition to ten years in Japan, she has spent her entire working career in England, first teaching East Asian Archaeology at Cambridge University (1981-95), then taking up a professorship in Japanese Studies at Durham University (1996-2006). She has directed two field projects in Japan (a geological coring project at Asawa and an excavation at Miwa, both in Nara Prefecture). Among her many publications are four single authored books: "Protohistoric Yamato: archaeology of the first Japanese state" (1988, CJS University of Michigan), "The Rise of Civilization in East Asia: archaeology of China, Korea and Japan" (1999, Thames & Hudson), "State Formation in Korea: historical and anthropological perspectives" (2001, Curzon), and "State Formation in Japan: emergence of a 4th-century ruling elite" (2006, Routledge). Now retired and living in Durham, she continues her work with the Society for East Asian Studies (SEAA), which she founded in 1996, and professional service with several publishers. Current writing projects include two encyclopedic articles on early Japanese and Korean state societies, and a manuscript on the geology of Japan. She is also studying for a BSc in Geosciences with the Open University. In February 2010, she was elected a Fellow of the Geological Society of London on the basis of her work in geoarchaeology.
In September 2011, she started a light-hearted blog about "Living in England", with personal views on daily happenings.
Latest Articles
|
Geology Walk Around Virginia Water, Surrey, England
Discover the geology of Virginia Water, a lake adjacent to Windsor Great Park in the lovely rolling landscape of Surrey west of Heathrow.
Oct 9, 2011
- Gina Barnes
|
|
Japanese Winter Squash Recipe for Halloween and Thanksgiving
A tasty boiled recipe for winter squash that is perked up with walnuts!
Oct 5, 2011
- Gina Barnes
|
|
Ancient Japanese Court Music in London
Gagaku, Gigaku and Bugaku were enjoyed by all at the SOAS Brunei Gallery in celebration of the Tenri University - SOAS MoA
Sep 22, 2011
- Gina Barnes
|
|
City of London Guildhall in London Open House Weekend
The third weekend in September is Open House in London. Many private and public buildings are open to be viewed, some on a walk-in basis, some ticketed.
Sep 19, 2011
- Gina Barnes
|
|
Update on Buying Shahtoosh, the Banned 'King of Wool'
Shahtoosh should be on everyone's fashion 'no-no' list, but demand keeps illegal production going while new legal 'shahtoosh' is developed.
Oct 16, 2010
- Gina Barnes
|
|
Buy a Warm Shawl for Winter? Cashmere, Pashmina, or Lo Shahtoosh?
What to buy - or not? Choices have expanded in the wake of the 2002 ban on shahtoosh manufacture in Kashmir, but what are these other products?
Oct 3, 2010
- Gina Barnes
|
|
Diplomatic Ships (Kentoshisen) from Nara Japan to Tang China
Climb aboard a reconstructed 8th-century diplomatic ship at the Nara Heijo Palace site.
Sep 9, 2010
- Gina Barnes
|
|
The Daigokuden Audience Hall, Heijo-kyo Palace Site, Nara, Japan
Commemorating the 1300th year of the establishment of Heijo Capital, the Imperial Audience Hall (Daigokuden) was reconstructed on the palace site in Nara
Sep 6, 2010
- Gina Barnes
|
|
A Geological Tour of Holy Island, Northumberland
Circumambulation while looking at rocks gives a different perspective on the isle known for its religious significance.
Aug 25, 2010
- Gina Barnes
|
|
Visit Japan, See Manhole Cover Art
No one expects to see art underfoot, but many Japanese cities revel in showcasing their icons on manhole covers.
Jul 28, 2010
- Gina Barnes
|
