Practical Archaeologist [Paperback]

Jane McIntosh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 20, 1999

This reference to the world of modern archaeology provides a practical understanding of what archaeology is, how archaeologists work, and how they interpret the evidence they find. This revised edition focuses on such critical new developments as: CAT scans, DNA analysis and facial reconstruction; computers and archaeology, including virtual reality reconstruction of buildings and pyramids; spectacular royal burials at Sipan; advances in the study of diet, including the chemical composition of human bones and food residues on vessels; new dating technologies; satellite and ground surveys, and what they reveal about Maya lifeways; new analyses of the Sutton Hoo ship burial, including "sand ghosts"; the latest ideas on megaliths and studies of the bones they contain; and techniques of underwater archaeology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

. . .[an] enjoyable book. . . . Highly recommended. -- The Book Report, March/April 2000

Praise for the previous edition: "...a first rate book..." -- Scientific American --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 2nd edition (September 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500281815
• ISBN-13: 978-0500281819
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,102,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb, beautifully illustrated overview of archaeology, September 2, 2002

By 

Catherine S. Vodrey (East Liverpool, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Practical Archaeologist: How We Know What We Know about the Past (Paperback)

Jane McIntosh's "The Practical Archaeologist" is a superb overview of archaeology for the lay reader. Although I don't have much of a scientific bent, I have always been fascinated by archaeology (probably too many Agatha Christie novels), and I treated myself to this many years ago to see if the real thing was as interesting as I imagined it to be. While nothing can completely convey the hard and tedious work that makes up the bulk of an archaeologist's days, McIntosh's book goes a long way towards clarifying the astonishing things all of us can learn from archaeology.

The book is arranged chronologically, beginning with a chapter providing a broad idea of what archaeology can mean and its function in modern times. From there McIntosh moves deftly to excavation, processing "finds," and analyzing them. She covers both above-ground excavations and those below-ground, and even gets into oceanic archaeology. We learn about how excavation and preservation techniques have improved, while many of the archaeologist's most treasured tools--hands, sieves, and fine brushes--have remained much the same for centuries.

This is a beautifully designed book. Color photographs, black-and-white photos, engravings, and sketches are skillfully combined with an easy-to-read text. This is an excellent introduction to archaeology for anyone who has even a remote interest in the subject--it's difficult to put down once you begin reading it. Highly recommended!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good, basic book on archaeology, October 25, 2001

By 

Debbie Lee Wesselmann (the Lehigh Valley, PA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Practical Archaeologist: How We Know What We Know About the Past (Hardcover)

THE PRACTICAL ARCHAEOLGIST is a sound overview of the profession, from the tools used to dating methods to underwater techniques. Interpersed with the main text are intriguing sidebars about important finds - for me, the highlight of this book. Told in simple, easy to understand language, this book is geared for those with a casual interest in archaeology, or for high school students. Besides the simplicity (which may be a selling point for many), the main drawback of this book is the lack of discussion on recent finds, despite a copyright date of 1999.

If you are considering studying archaeology, or if you have a passing interest in it, you'll find this book both useful and enjoyable; however, if you crave an in-depth study of the field, look elsewhere. Without doubt, this is an excellent starting point for budding archaeologists.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars kid-approved!, July 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Practical Archaeologist: How We Know What We Know about the Past (Paperback)

My 14 year-old daughter and her friend attended a local archeology camp and this book was the "required text" for the sessions. They raved about the chapters and illustrations. I got a chance to read through it casually and decided it was worth buying to keep! It is a good overview of archeology around the world, covering many civilizations and is a pleasure to read. Lots of good pictures and photos.