Little History of Archaeology

A "learned and lively" (Wall Street Journal) history of archaeological adventure-with tales of danger, debate, audacious explorers, and astonishing discoveries around the globe-for readers of all ages

What is archaeology? The word may bring to mind images of golden pharaohs and lost civilizations, or Neanderthal skulls and Ice Age cave art. Archaeology is all of these, but also far more: the only science to encompass the entire span of human history-more than three million years!

This Little History tells the riveting stories of some of the great archaeologists and their amazing discoveries around the globe: ancient Egyptian tombs, Mayan ruins, the first colonial settlements at Jamestown, mysterious Stonehenge, the incredibly preserved Pompeii, and many, many more. In forty brief, exciting chapters, the book recounts archaeology's development from its eighteenth-century origins to its twenty-first-century technological advances. Shining light on the most intriguing events in the history of the field, this absolutely up-to-date book illuminates archaeology's controversies, discoveries, heroes and scoundrels, global sites, and newest methods for curious readers of every age.

Review: "In a book about the study of archaeology, it would be easy to fill the pages with tales of digging derring-do. . . Brian Fagan, the noted prehistorian, does not disappoint in that regard, but neither does he provide a narrative of just one remarkable discovery after another. . . He charts the story from 19th-century treasure-hunting among the ruins of ancient Eygpt, up to today's professional, multi-disciplinary, scientific approaches."
-David Musgrove, BBC History

"Brian Fagan provides an entertaining account of the development of archaeology across the world. . . Fagan's recollections. . . help bring the history to life."-Current World Archaeology

"Learned and lively."-Wall Street Journal

"Fantastic gifts for the young and curious."-The Bookseller

"It's an impressive piece of editing as well as a good read" - Francis Pryor, CountryFile Magazine



"The perfect introduction to archaeology and its rich and exciting history. Brian Fagan is a renowned excavator and author of numerous best-selling books on the subject, but this is not a textbook: it reads like a thriller and is impossible to put down."-Francis Pryor, author of Britain BC: life in Britain and Ireland before the Romans


"Crisp, engaging and accessible ... In archaeology today, Brian Fagan is among the very best writers who are able to clearly and effectively communicate with the general public. This excellent book is no exception." -Jeremy A. Sabloff, author of Archaeology Matters


'Brain Fagan is a masterful storyteller. In this "history of," he captures the personality of archaeology though the principal voices of those who have directed its course for well over two centuries. Marvelous.'-Vernon L. Scarborough, University of Cincinnati

"An engaging and authoritative historical tour of archaeology. As Fagan reminds us, "The past is around for us all to experience and enjoy"-and there can be no better encouragement to do this than the story told in these pages."-Chris Scarre, author of The Human Past