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Summary:
This brief but comprehensive book tells the story of how archaeology changed from a romantic adventure into a science. Its vivid narrative combines tales of archaeological discovery with the changing social conditions and theoretical perspectives that helped turn archaeology into a sophisticated discipline. Containing a simple, jargon-free style—and a lifetime of teaching experience—this writer shares with readers his unrivaled experience as an archeologist and an author. Unique coverage includes both major discoveries, and significant, theoretical and methodological developments of the history of archaeology—from a global perspective. For anyone interested in an interpretation of our archeological past that will yield an understanding of today—its beginnings, and the ideas that nurtured it.
Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Rating:
vastly improved methods
Customer Rating:
Fagan provides a quick walkthrough of the development of archaeology. He starts with a description of how the ancient Romans would embark on tours of Egypt, to peer at the tombs that were already far older than Rome. And how we are now left with Roman graffiti that is two thousand years old!
But the bulk of his narrative concerns archaeology as it developed since the Industrial Revolution. How it had to shake off the albatross of religious Christian dogma. Fagan describes this field primarily through recaps of its most prominent practitioners. Which include Heinrich Schliemann, who found Troy, and Howard Carter, who unearthed the tomb and treasures of Tutankhamen. From these and other notables like Mary Leakey, we see how understanding and techniques have vastly improved our understanding of our past.
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