100 Great Archaeological Discoveries

by Paul G. Bahn

Amazing discoveries such as the tomb of Tutankhamen, the buried city of Pompeii, the cave of Lascaux, and the Terracotta Army may be the headline grabbers, but archaeology is not just about rich burials and treasure, or pharaohs, emperors, and kings. The real thrill of archaeology is the way in which it has unearthed the everyday lives of our ancestors, ordinary people not unlike ourselves. Any given discovery—from a fragment of fossilized bone to a shard of pottery—has the potential to radically alter our picture of the past.

This beautifully illustrated volume presents 100 of the world's greatest archaeological discoveries—from rock art to tattooed ice maidens, from mammoth bone houses to Assyrian palaces, from fossil hominids to writing systems, and from caves to shipwrecks. And with the growing battery of tools and techniques, who knows what will be revealed about our past in the years ahead?

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Archaeology, Science, Textbooks, Anthropology, Reference

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Paul G. Bahn is a British archaeologist, translator, writer and broadcaster who has published extensively on a range of archaeological topics, with particular attention to prehistoric art. He is a contributing editor to Archaeology magazine.

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good overview of some important archaeological discoveries made in several places around the world. Each article is a brief 2-3 page synopsis and provides beautiful photos of artifacts and/or sites and some cultural information about the civilizations that occupied the area.

[Loni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly, I did not read this entire book. I got it because I found the subject quite fascinating and the pictures detailed and enthralling. I did read a significant portion of the book as well and it is perfect for someone like me who is finds Archeology interesting, but who really knows nothing on the subject.

[Mati · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was easy to pick this book for refreshing some well known facts about the bests archaeological discoveries. The book is not meant for professional use, however the general audience would devour every page with detailed report and pictures.

[Sheri Fresonke Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lake dwellings, mammoth bone houses, ding quadropods, mound builders... fascinating pictures and explanations of finds from places around the world. Many were new to me. A fun read.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read on 100 finds, the pictures were nice