Review: A Little History of Archaeology

A Little History of Archaeology by Brian M. Fagan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a really enjoyable book which tells the story of archaeology as a discipline from the early days of genteel looting to the modern systematic and often non-invasive methods of learning from the material remains of the past. Fagan's book offers a vivid and enjoyable account of not only the sites, but the personalities behind the advancing science of archaeology.

Arranged in chapters coinciding with major discoveries or important personalities, Fagan tells, first and foremost, the stories of the excavators, but also the people discovered in the sites. He is enthusiastic and curious, engaging the reader with interesting details and interesting connections which characterize the archaeological world. Occasionally, his order can get confusing because it doesn't consistently follow chronological or geographical order strictly. However, each chapter is pretty self-contained and can be read in whatever order with real benefit.

This is a really enjoyable read, especially for those who are just starting their investigation of archaeology. Fagan is careful to define terms and focuses on clarity in his stories, so it is very readable.

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