This book presents pioneering research on the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives in the medieval period. Primarily archaeological, the book has an interdisciplinary slant, examining the material culture, history, and environment of the islands. 'This landmark volume is the first systematic archaeological monograph devoted to the Maldives, an understudied crossroads of Indian Ocean circulations. Combining rigorous excavation description with substantive discussions of context and historical interpretation, it highlights a history of global connections linking the Maldives to Africa, Arabia, India, and beyond. This book should become a new standard reference for anyone interested in the history of Indian Ocean networks, economic history, and Islamic studies.' Professor R. Michael Feener, Kyoto University Center for Southeast Asian Studies/Director, Maritime Asia Heritage Survey