Spinei (medieval history and archaeology, Alexandra Ioan Cuza U., Romania) investigates the relationships between sedentary agricultural Romanians and nomadic pastoralist Turks in the southern half of Moldavia, north of the Danube Delta, between the 10th century and the great Mongol invasion of 1241-1242. He first provides an overview of the political history of the region, followed by an archaeological and historical assessment of the contrasting ways of life of the two peoples that addresses linguistic and ethnic aspects, demographic aspects, settlements and life style, dwellings and their annexes, agriculture, animal husbandry, crafts, trade, social and political life, religious life, burial assemblages, and art. He concludes with a relatively brief account of contacts and interactions between the Romanians and the Turkic nomads. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)