Atlas of Archaeology: The Definitive Guide to the Location, History and Significance of the World's Most Important Archaeological Sites & Finds [Hardcover]

Mick Aston (Author), Tim Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1998

Unearth and explore the fascinating worlds of our ancestors from the earliest human to the Industrial Age.

From the discovery of a Bronze Age ritual monument to the reconstruction of a classic Roman villa and the piecing together of a New World settlement, this highly illustrated atlas is a compelling guide to both recent and historic archaeological sites around the world. Mick Aston and Tim Taylor inspire us with their enthusiasm for archaeology to look at the evidence of the past all around us. Unearthing a range of sites from early cities to medieval castles and Industrial Age factories, they reveal the activities that took place and make detailed identifications of key objects found there. The Atlas of Archaeology is sumptuously illustrated with photographs of the artifacts found at each site, followed by a detailed full-color drawing of the site as it would have appeared originally. Photographs of archaeologists at work and explanations of their techniques provide the technical information that is the basis of all archaeological digs. Fourteen full-color maps show more than 1,200 sites around the world, and accompanying profiles give the location of each, the date of discovery, and the key finds. Lavishly illustrated and expertly researched, this fascinating guide to the world of archaeology will encourage all those interested in the past to take a completely fresh and informed look at their surroundings.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up?A chronological approach to the excavation and examination of major archaeological sites throughout the world. Additionally, the authors provide an in-depth look at the process of archaeology from the moment of first discovery to detailed and contextual analysis. The well-written, informative chapters are supplemented with full-color photographs, conceptualized drawings, and maps. Where this work excels is in its exceptional "Gazetteer" section, which lists and describes sites by their geographical locations. These 14 maps allow readers to see an archaeological site from a global as well as localized perspective; they pinpoint not only the sites themselves, but also offer insight into the terrain of the regions. However, this topographical representation is also the one area for possible concern in the purchase of this work: the highest elevations are given pale lavender colors?colors often associated with lower elevations in traditionally colored topographical maps. Still, a minor flaw such as this one does not outweigh the beauty and benefits to be gleaned from this valuable book.?J. B. MacDonald, Milner Library, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

A tiny green seedling sprouts through a decaying eye socket of a partially buried skull. Gruesome, says the adult. Awesome, says the kid. It's Page 2 of The Atlas of Archaeology, and it sets the tone of this beautiful book. Archaeology lives." -- Houston Chronicle, Sept. 1998

Illuminating graphic representations of the world's most important sites, with the always helpful DK sidebars and captions. Excellent reference...for those who don't like to get their hands dirty." -- Philadelphia Inquirer, Dec. 98

The emphasis of imagery over text makes this a useful guide for youngsters or neophyte archaeologists. marvelous photographs... -- Science News, OCt. 98

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; 1st American ed edition (September 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789431890
• ISBN-13: 978-0789431899
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 10.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,578,657 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reference book for beginners, March 3, 1999

By 

Lesley West (St James, Western Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Atlas of Archaeology: The Definitive Guide to the Location, History and Significance of the World's Most Important Archaeological Sites & Finds (Hardcover)

As a child I was always going to grow up and become a famous archaeologist (I never made it - I am actually a psychologist). My young daughter is similarly interested, and this is a great book for someone "starting out" with an interest in ancient times. It looks at all of the famous sites in archaeology, as well as the different eras. In addition it looks at themes as recent as the study of the industrial era, showing that archaeology is not just ancient bones and bits of pottery. For those who want more detail it is probably a little sketchy, but for the average household it is an excellent reference book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and interesting!, April 20, 2005

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Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Atlas of Archaeology: The Definitive Guide to the Location, History and Significance of the World's Most Important Archaeological Sites & Finds (Hardcover)

This large and attractive book is a fascinating look at the present state of information gained through archaeology. (OK, I saw the 1998 edition, which is not perhaps completely up-to-date, but is still quite fascinating.) Part one of the book has chapters covering a number of historic epochs (Neolithic, first cities, Iron Age, etc.), giving information on the era, a look at a certain site, and comparative sites. Along the way, the reader is treated to many wonderful brightly colored pictures, maps and illustrations. The second part of the book is a gazetteer or index of hundreds (or thousands, I lost count!) of archaeological sites across the world, organized by geographic location.

Yep, this is quite a fun and interesting book! It is probably not too useful as a resource for a student, unless the student is researching one of the sites covered in part one of the book. But, for the general reader, and the armchair archaeologist, this book is great. I loved all the information that is packed in here, and the many colorful images. I highly recommend this fun and interesting book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent specialized atlas, September 18, 2009

By 

Judy K. Polhemus "Book Collector" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Atlas of Archaeology: The Definitive Guide to the Location, History and Significance of the World's Most Important Archaeological Sites & Finds (Hardcover)

In rating a book I never compare apples and oranges. Thus this DK "Atlas of Archaeology" was probably not meant for scholarly study, but as a home reference for older school children. To compare the two and say that this particular atlas is lacking would be incredibly unfair. But to point out the logical, chronological layout of increasingly important finds and make a judgment call of its content is fair. Thus my five-star rating and recommendation of this atlas in homes that value excellent resources and have the money to provide them (perhaps a peripheral side note in itself).

Thus the book begins with the accidental creators of the earliest sites: the Hunter-Gatherers and maps of the five continents of human population and archaeological sites of these particular peoples. Next is a narrowing to a Paleolithic Valley with map grids of findings, including stone tools. Always in this atlas is the accompanying "comparative site" to show parallels and differences of various people groups.

Illustrations, maps, photographs of artifacts, sketches, and diagrams add to the basic information found in the digs. Always the focus is on exactly what is found.

Famous sites like Skara Brae in the Orkney Islands off the northern coast of Scotland provides the most intact Neolithic site in northern Europe. An underground community connected by tunnels, it was probably destroyed by storm and covered by sand until it was discovered in the 20th century.

The henge communities are included (Stonehenge, for example) with the accompanying comparative sites of Carnac in France and Teotihuacan in Mexico and artifacts. Medieval villages, new settlements in new worlds (Virginia, New York with mention of the slave trade) are others.

One of the most intriguing sites is the area of the first factory from the Industrial Revolution in central England. Can you imagine the fascinating items found there?

The conclusion of actual archaeological findings outlines and describes the various techniques in locating and examining artifacts: posthole analysis,, dendrochronology, radiocarbon dating, environmental analysis, marine archaeology, pot reconstruction, skull reconstruction, and conservation of the remains.

The second half of the atlas is a gazetteer which pinpoints featured sites on maps and lists 1200 others as well. This is an atlas well worth its cost, especially if a household upholds and values the beauty of a good archaeological atlas.