ABSTRACT

Demonstrates the importance of archaeology today

In the Beginning: An Introduction to Archaeology presents the history and methods of archaeology and explores its significance today. The text introduces archeology's basic principles along with numerous examples from all over the world. Authors Brian Fagan and Nadia Durrani provide a comprehensive summary of the field for people who have little or no experience.

Features:

  • Provides A Comprehensive Overview – Readers gain a broad understanding of archaeology, including its interdisciplinary nature, major scientific contributions, international research, and methods and theories. A special chapter covers career opportunities in archaeology. A new organization moves archaeological theory to the beginning, so readers can develop a deeper understanding of this field.
  • Offers an Engaging Introduction – The jargon-free narrative provides an accessible introduction to the study of archaeology. In the Beginning is now four-color for a livelier and enriching experience. 
  • Explores Significant Historical Events – Seven photo essays titled People of the Past appear throughout the book, covering such luminaries as pharaoh Ramses II and societies like the Cro-Magnons of late Ice Age Europe. Spectacular findings featured in Discovery boxes reflect new developments in archaeology.
  • Incorporates Fresh Ideas from a New Co-Author – Esteemed colleague, Nadia Durrani, has been brought on board as a co-author. She brings a wealth of field experience in Arabia, Britain, and elsewhere as well as extensive editorial experience as the former Editor of Current World Archaeology, to the team.

part |1 pages

Part I Background to Archaeology

part |1 pages

Part II The Basics

chapter 4|16 pages

Matrix and Preservation

chapter 5|10 pages

Doing Archaeological Research

chapter 6|14 pages

Culture, Data, and Context

chapter 7|23 pages

How Old Is It?

part |1 pages

Part III Recovering the Data

chapter 9|29 pages

How to Excavate

part |1 pages

Part IV Analyzing the Past: Artifacts and Technology

chapter 10|14 pages

Classifying Artifacts

chapter 11|19 pages

Technologies of the Ancients

part |1 pages

Part V Studying Environments and People

chapter 12|20 pages

Ancient Environments

chapter 13|26 pages

What Did We Eat?

chapter 14|17 pages

The Living Past

chapter 15|24 pages

Landscape and Settlement

chapter 16|30 pages

Interactions: People of the Past

chapter 17|22 pages

Archaeology and the Intangible

part |1 pages

Part VI Managing the Past

part |1 pages

Part VII Careers and Resources

chapter 20|9 pages

So You Want to Become an Archaeologist?