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Archaeology: Discovering the World's Secrets
This introduction to the science of the past spans the entire world over three hundred or so sumptuously illustrated pages. The book takes us on a voyage through time, to the first beginnings of archaeology with the development of early museums, and Napoleon's ground-breaking scientific expedition to Egypt. Egypt-mania prompted the first major flourishing of the discipline we now know, but the Egypt of the day was also populated by a fascinating sprinkling of rogues, vandals and villains. Aaltonen uncovers mysteries ancient and modern as she takes readers on an exciting adventure into the politics of archaeology, from the archaeologist spies of the First World War and the strange, twisted world of twentieth century Nazi Germany, to more modern attempts to understand the peopling of the Americas. She also looks at developments in the modern day, exploring exciting new techniques and technologies - and asks what these new advances will mean for our understanding of human h istory.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 21, 2017
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133 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 1, 2018
This was a Netgalley ARC.
Fans of Indiana Jones will enjoy this book! Archaeology has always fascinated the history nerd in me. Who wouldn't want to discover lost cities or treasures. This book explains the different pieces of equipment used in archaeology from the little hand tools to the high tech scanners. All the famous archaeological finds are described in here along with all the lesser known places and archaeologists. I was amazed at how many of the digs I already knew about.
Fans of Indiana Jones will enjoy this book! Archaeology has always fascinated the history nerd in me. Who wouldn't want to discover lost cities or treasures. This book explains the different pieces of equipment used in archaeology from the little hand tools to the high tech scanners. All the famous archaeological finds are described in here along with all the lesser known places and archaeologists. I was amazed at how many of the digs I already knew about.
March 28, 2023
(2022 version)
This book was very interesting, but had some major flaws.
The book is choppy and not outlined well. I know there is a lot of info to cover, but it really jumped around. There are also major editing and proof-reading errors. One line doesn’t have any spaces, there are commas in wrong places, words are misspelled, and images are in the wrong chapters.
However, I really enjoyed reading this book. It is quite a feat to try and cover the entire history of archeology, major archaeological finds, famous archeologists, and the evolution of the field. It was very interesting and kept my attention!
I just wish it was better planned out and proof-read/edited. I would give it more stars if I wasn’t noticing errors as I was reading.
This book was very interesting, but had some major flaws.
The book is choppy and not outlined well. I know there is a lot of info to cover, but it really jumped around. There are also major editing and proof-reading errors. One line doesn’t have any spaces, there are commas in wrong places, words are misspelled, and images are in the wrong chapters.
However, I really enjoyed reading this book. It is quite a feat to try and cover the entire history of archeology, major archaeological finds, famous archeologists, and the evolution of the field. It was very interesting and kept my attention!
I just wish it was better planned out and proof-read/edited. I would give it more stars if I wasn’t noticing errors as I was reading.
August 9, 2021
This was a pretty interesting read, learned about a lot of interesting sites that I'd love to learn more about. Issues we're primarily with formatting and editing. It still has numerous typos, and more importantly, there doesn't really seem to be a particularly logical progression of topics. The subject kind of jumps all over the place and probably could have been sequenced in a more organized manner. Also ending on a brief overview of marine archaeology was interesting, but lacks any sort of cohesive wrap up of everything covered, and the book sort of just ends.
January 30, 2019
I would like to thank netgalley and Arcturus Digital for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a delightful introduction to archaeology. It covers the history of archaeology, some of the most famous sites, modern techniques and nearly every continent.
This is a delightful introduction to archaeology. It covers the history of archaeology, some of the most famous sites, modern techniques and nearly every continent.
March 31, 2018
Archaeology by Gaynor Aaltonen is a book that surveys archaeology in various ways. The book can be divided into 3 uneven sections: 1)Defining archaeology & it's time periods, 2) Important people who contributed over a variety of eras & interests, & 3) a world-wide survey of important archaeological finds.
Firstly, the author defines archaeology & it's importance in study. She does not go into the methods of how or why certain things are done. But she does list the time periods & how they relate to the 'layered' way of thinking. This small area gives the reader a very basic framework in understanding it.
Secondly, Aaltonen goes over the people who advanced it. She lists many people (& events) who helped bring Archaeology into the mainstream. Some things, like the Nazis & Napoleonic invasion of Egypt shows how it can be damaging. But many, like Ole Worm, are given basic priase.
And finally, many important digs are brought up. This, despite the pictures & recent events mentioned, might be the weakest. Numerous digs & finds are mentioned from all over the world. From Poland, India, Egypt, China, & even Peru are given some space. But nothing in detail.
Overall, for somebody who is just beginning, then I would recommend this as a very basic starting point. But it also feels rushed & has too many details without any appropriate research & attention given. So, overall it is good. But if you are beyond the beginning stage, I would choose something with more detail.
Firstly, the author defines archaeology & it's importance in study. She does not go into the methods of how or why certain things are done. But she does list the time periods & how they relate to the 'layered' way of thinking. This small area gives the reader a very basic framework in understanding it.
Secondly, Aaltonen goes over the people who advanced it. She lists many people (& events) who helped bring Archaeology into the mainstream. Some things, like the Nazis & Napoleonic invasion of Egypt shows how it can be damaging. But many, like Ole Worm, are given basic priase.
And finally, many important digs are brought up. This, despite the pictures & recent events mentioned, might be the weakest. Numerous digs & finds are mentioned from all over the world. From Poland, India, Egypt, China, & even Peru are given some space. But nothing in detail.
Overall, for somebody who is just beginning, then I would recommend this as a very basic starting point. But it also feels rushed & has too many details without any appropriate research & attention given. So, overall it is good. But if you are beyond the beginning stage, I would choose something with more detail.
May 30, 2021
Picked this up on a whim as a special deal at Barnes and Noble, because it looked like it covered a lot of history and has beautiful pictures!
I am not sorry.
It really is a wonderful overview of archeaology - the science of it, the people who made the discoveries, how the science has progressed, mention of how tools and techniques have changed, and chronologically going through great discoveries and the people involved.
So it was interesting to read through, and has many beautiful images.
There are a few things I found off-putting, though. First, I found a lot of grammatical errors. I imagine this was translated at some point and it shows. I also found that some of the images weren't identified, and some that were seemed to be removed from their text. I had to keep flipping back and forth to try to place things.
So for organization and editing I took it down a star. However, the gist of it is fantastic. I really enjoyed getting to walk through the whole field of archaeology, as it has grown over hundreds of years. Who were the movers and shakers, what great discoveries meant to the overall knowledge of a culture or language, how things have progressed.
I marked several places because the facts were so amazing! I am sure I will be paging through this again. A coffee table book that deserves a close read!
I am not sorry.
It really is a wonderful overview of archeaology - the science of it, the people who made the discoveries, how the science has progressed, mention of how tools and techniques have changed, and chronologically going through great discoveries and the people involved.
So it was interesting to read through, and has many beautiful images.
There are a few things I found off-putting, though. First, I found a lot of grammatical errors. I imagine this was translated at some point and it shows. I also found that some of the images weren't identified, and some that were seemed to be removed from their text. I had to keep flipping back and forth to try to place things.
So for organization and editing I took it down a star. However, the gist of it is fantastic. I really enjoyed getting to walk through the whole field of archaeology, as it has grown over hundreds of years. Who were the movers and shakers, what great discoveries meant to the overall knowledge of a culture or language, how things have progressed.
I marked several places because the facts were so amazing! I am sure I will be paging through this again. A coffee table book that deserves a close read!
March 10, 2018
This book should be read by anyone with an interest in Archeology whether they are new to the subject or well versed in it. Why? Partly because its well written with great pictures illustrating the subject but also because its up to date with the latest discovers that have changed the landscape of archeology.
Nothing changes as quickly as our understanding of the past. For this reason its so refreshing to read this book which in a small space gives a great easy to read sweep in describing the subject. I recommend this as well worth the money because its a pleasant read but also because you will learn something new and will be intrigued by the possibilities that exist.
Nothing changes as quickly as our understanding of the past. For this reason its so refreshing to read this book which in a small space gives a great easy to read sweep in describing the subject. I recommend this as well worth the money because its a pleasant read but also because you will learn something new and will be intrigued by the possibilities that exist.
April 17, 2018
An absolutely fascinating look at the history of archaeology, from evolving motivations for finding artifacts and civilizations, to improvements in methods, tools and science. The book includes sections on some of the most famous and most important finds around the world, including paintings/photographs and super interesting historical details. I found the tidbits about very recent discoveries the most interesting - a hidden, golden chamber beneath Macchu Picchu? Bones and artifacts from the time of Bouddica found beneath railway stations in London? SO AWESOME.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, provided by the author and/or the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2024
The book covers archaeology around the world, including the history of the discipline and short highlights of the major contributors to the field.
Broken down by geographical areas we learn about the major discoveries in each area and the major players as well as significant findings and hints about what may remain to be found.
There is not any great detail about any one finding but there is enough to ignite one's curiousity.
Also included is an overview of the tools in use and what current tools may be able to find.
A good overview for anyone interested in the field.
Broken down by geographical areas we learn about the major discoveries in each area and the major players as well as significant findings and hints about what may remain to be found.
There is not any great detail about any one finding but there is enough to ignite one's curiousity.
Also included is an overview of the tools in use and what current tools may be able to find.
A good overview for anyone interested in the field.
April 23, 2020
Meh. Was not worth it.
Altough the book is not particularly long, it was boring. That's due to excess information triggered into the readers mouth, not allowing them to chew what they've read.
It was more like those pocket sized city guides - easy to follow on a tight schedule, but lacks any serious insight.
If only Aaltonen avoided touring some best known sites around the world and instead offered some more distinctive context, it could have been different.
Altough the book is not particularly long, it was boring. That's due to excess information triggered into the readers mouth, not allowing them to chew what they've read.
It was more like those pocket sized city guides - easy to follow on a tight schedule, but lacks any serious insight.
If only Aaltonen avoided touring some best known sites around the world and instead offered some more distinctive context, it could have been different.
March 1, 2018
I read C.W. Ceram's books when I was a child and this book reminds of those book.
Well written, well reasearched and full of interesting and unsual facts. The Archeology history can be a sort of fantastic travel through ages and very interesting people.
I really liked and appreciated it. Recommended.
Many thanks to Arcturus Digital and Netgalley
Well written, well reasearched and full of interesting and unsual facts. The Archeology history can be a sort of fantastic travel through ages and very interesting people.
I really liked and appreciated it. Recommended.
Many thanks to Arcturus Digital and Netgalley
March 13, 2018
Gaynor Aaltonen has created a beautiful book full of breath taking imagines that capture the history and beauty of Archaeology. This is a must have book in anyone collection whether you are love archaeology or history this book is a beautiful addition to anyone library.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy
May 11, 2018
Great introduction to archaeology. Includes basic knowledge of the tools and theories and also an interesting history on the subject of Archaeology itself.
November 26, 2024
learn to spell pharaoh if you’re gonna write a book with a section on pharaohs. jeez
June 28, 2025
Full of spelling errors and mistypes and things. And a bit boring and redundant. It also gave lots of credit to white men going to other countries and discovering lost cities and stuff, which was weird to me. Talked less about archeological studies and more about the men who were there. And praised them for venturing in foreign countries to find the truth.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews