The Cambridge Illustrated History of Archaeology

We humans have always possessed a deep curiosity about our origins and past. Indeed, as far back as 600 B.C. a Babylonian king excavated a temple floor laid 3,200 years before his time. Archaeology, to paraphrase Colin Renfrew, is a history of self-discovery, and for that reason it holds attraction for all peoples and all cultures. The Cambridge Illustrated History of Archaeology exploits our fascination with our past. It tells the story of those explorations that have helped shape our knowledge of history--from early digging in Greece and the Near East through the unearthing of sites in Europe to the archaeological finds of the Americas, Africa, and Australasia. It chronicles the development of archaeology from the crude fumblings of early antiquaries to the sophisticated digs of the present day. The team of experts under the guidance of Paul Bahn attempts to strike a balance between spectacular discoveries, such as the tomb of Tutankhamen, and the equally important progress of ideas. At the same time, they describe the often colorful roles of leading characters and set them against the social background of their times. It is hoped that many present and future general readers and amateur archaeologists will uncover much of interest in this book. Paul Bahn is the author of many books about archaeology, including The Bluffer's Guide to Archaeology (1989) and Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice (with Colin Renfrew, 1991).

An account of the history of archaeology for general readers, examining the field's hoaxes and wrong-turns as well as spectacular discoveries and the progress of ideas. Discusses prominent sites and archaeologists, current controversies such as conflicts between aboriginal peoples and archaeologists, and future trends. Contains color and b&w photos and illustrations.
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This is the fullest and most authoritative single-volume account of archaeology available. Lavishly illustrated throughout and global in scope, it tells the story of those explorations which have helped shape our knowledge of the past. It is the first general history of archaeology to be written by a team of specialists.

This is the fullest and most authoritative single-volume account of archaeology from the earliest discoveries to the great excavations of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Lavishly illustrated throughout and global in scope, it tells the story of those explorations which have helped shape our knowledge of the past. From early digging in Greece and the Near East, through the part played by archaeology in the 'discovery' of the Americas, to the unearthing of sites in Africa, Scandinavia, the former Soviet Union, and Australasia, the book describes individual events as part of a connected narrative amounting to a thorough history of the subject for general readers. It is the first general history of archaeology written by a team of specialists and the first history to cover every part of the world. The book is complete with time-period charts, lists of archaeological events, and a full index.

Lavishly illustrated, this is the fullest and most authoritative single-volume history of archaeology available.

Foreword Lord Renfrew; Preface; Introduction; 1. The archaeology of archaeology; 2. Old worlds and new, 1500-1760; 3. Antiquarians and explorers, 1760-1820; 4. Science and Romanticism, 1820-1860; 5. The search for human origins, 1860-1920; 6. Archaeology comes of age, 1920-1960; 7. New techniques and competing philosophies, 1960-1990; 8. Current controversies and future trends; Bibliography; Table of archaeological periods worldwide; Chronology; Index; Acknowledgements.