Dimensions
224 x 287 x 22mm
The History of Archaeology
In 'Great Excavations', John Romer traces the history of archaeology from its inception in eighteenth-century Pompeii to the present day. He describes the scientific advances made by key figures: C J Thomsen in early nineteenth-century Denmark had the fundamental notion of the Three Age System which gave order to the past; and the development of Carbon 14 dating in the 1950s and other allied tests finally provided us with hard dates for the mysterious ages before the invention of writing.
'Great Excavations' tells an extraordinary story of pioneers, scientists, adventurers and dreamers: it describes renowned personalities of archaeology. Through the adventures and discoveries of the archaeologists themselves, Romer also deals with that handful of questions that has challenged archaeology since its beginnings: What are the origins of the human race? Are the stories of the Bible true?
John Romer's personal viewpoint and clear exposition, combined with wonderful photographs and engravings of locations and artefacts, allows the world of archaeology to leap from the page straight into our imagination.
