Veteran science writer Michael Balter skillfully weaves together many threads in this fascinating book about one of archaeologyas most legendary sitesa AatalhAyA1/4k. First excavated forty years ago, the site is justly revered by prehistorians, art historians, and New Age goddess worshippers alike for its spectacular finds dating almost 10,000 years ago. Archaeological maverick Ian Hodder, leader of the recent re-excavation at this Turkish mound, designated Balter as the projectas biographer. The result is a skillful telling of many stories about both past and present: * of the inhabitants of Neolithic AatalhAyA1/4k and the development of human creativity and ingenuity, as revealed in the recent excavation; * of James Mellaart, the original excavator, whose troubles off the mound eventually overshadowed his incisive work at the site; * of Hodder and his intense, brilliant crew who marveled and squabbled over the meaning of finds in dusty trenches while attempting to reintepret Mellaartas work; and * of the recent history of the theory and methods of archaeology itself. Part story of the human past, part soap opera of modern scholarly life, part textbook on the practice of modern archaeology, this book should appeal to general readers and archaeological students alike.

A veteran "Science" magazine reporter takes readers inside the trenches of Catalhoyuk--an archaeological excavation that has astounded the world with findings that show it to be the origin of modern society.