The concise version of the bestselling introduction to archaeology, updated and in full color Archaeology Essentials , already the most authoritative and accessible introduction on the market, has been updated with new discoveries, new technological innovations, revised pedagogical features, and improved illustrations. Written for today’s students, Archaeology Essentials is rigorous without being over-technical and thorough without being overwhelming. The only truly global archaeology textbook available in full color, the text also provides guidance for aspiring archaeologists in the form of compelling interviews with a worldwide selection of practicing archaeologists. The third edition of Archaeology Essentials is destined to become a classic of the field. 295 color illustrations
Andrew Colin Renfrew, Baron Renfrew of Kaimsthorn was a British archaeologist, paleolinguist and Conservative peer noted for his work on radiocarbon dating, the prehistory of languages, archaeogenetics, neuroarchaeology, and the prevention of looting at archaeological sites. Renfrew was also the Disney Professor of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge and Director of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research and was a Senior Fellow of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research.
This textbook is far more readable than many other textbooks I've read in college. The main material is clear and concise, and the illustrations are effective at providing visual context for the ideas discussed. The pop-outs are somewhat less helpful, though they are designed to be deeper dives into side content, so perhaps they're simply doing what they're meant to do. I was quite impressed with the quality of this textbook and learned a lot as an introduction to archaeolgical practice.
For an introduction survey style book it goes rather in depth into the more nitty gritty science behind archaeology. Overall, it is a good solid survey of the field. Some chapters, the more nitty gritty ones, were more challenging to get through than others. That said, I left feeling like I understood the subject a lot better, which was good.